EAST PALESTINE 2 men face charges in carcass case

Police continue to investigate the illegal dumping of deer remains at the lake.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- A wildlife officer says he will file charges against two area men, accusing them of deer-hunting violations.
Scott Blattert, Columbiana County wildlife officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said he will file charges Monday in Eastern Area Court here. The charges against one man will be possession of two untagged deer. Charges against another will be having an untagged deer and hunting without a permit.
The charges stem from Blattert's investigation of several deer carcasses that were dumped in the city lake area of East Palestine.
Blattert said the deer dumped at the city lake were killed elsewhere and butchered, with most of the meat taken.
Information during that investigation led Blattert to the men, and to several area homes, where he confiscated about 60 pounds of venison. Blattert said, however, the men did not admit dumping the deer at city lake.
City police continue to investigate the illegal dumping of the deer carcasses.
Blattert said he will suggest in his report that if the men cannot pay the fines associated with the misdemeanor charges, they could perform community service and clean up the lake area if convicted.
Handling venison: Blattert said the venison he confiscated will eventually be given to a local food bank.
He said hunters should put their name and address and/or the deer tag number on packages of venison, especially those they give to family or friends. Then, in the event similar investigations occur, the hunter or others with venison in the freezer have proof the deer was taken legally, and it won't be confiscated.