Someone keeps deliberately arranging dead wild animals at an industrial-area intersection just south of Cheyenne, authorities say.
Cheyenne Animal Control has responded six times in the past four months to the intersection of South Greeley Highway and East Nation Road to deal with wildlife carcasses that look like they’ve been put there and arranged deliberately, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Wednesday statement.
“One incident involved two raccoons and a skunk, found neatly arranged side by side,” the statement says, adding that all the carcasses have been found fully intact with no signs of injury or blood trails, indicating that they were purposefully left there.
Animal control has reportedly logged additional, similar reports dating back to 2022.
“This is a pattern that has caught the attention of both Cheyenne Animal Control and local residents,” says the statement.
The sheriff’s office reminds the public that it’s illegal to dump dead animals on highways and public grounds; also ditches, rivers and railroad rights of way. It also urged people who live or travel near that area to report any suspicious activity.
For Years, Actually
Animal Control had this problem last year as well, Officer Johnny Kindsvater told Cowboy State Daily. “This year — definitely seems to be a pattern to it.”
Officers weren’t paying much attention early on, just picking up dead animals. Now they’re curious about how the animals died and why they’re there, and they have plans to investigate, he said.
“It’s certainly concerning,” said Kindsvater.
He said the location is somewhat discreet, next to a concrete business but not bustling. There aren’t a lot of cameras around and it’s not in the middle of town. Many of the dumped-animal reports surface in the morning, indicating the dumps happen overnight, he said.
Kindsvater said he’s not sure why a person or people dumping the animals wouldn’t just put them in a dumpster.
“It’s certainly bizarre,” he said. “We don’t get it either.”
Anyone with information can call 307-637-6206.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
