At least three deer have been shot with a blow dart in the Walsenburg area.

Several deer have been severely injured in the Walsenburg area by someone who is shooting blow darts at the animals.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Thursday received a telephone call about multiple deer in the 100 block of East Cedar Street that were shot with darts, according to a CPW news release.

CPW Officer Travis Sauder responded and found three suffering deer — a mature doe with a dart through the foreleg, a young doe shot in the nose and another young doe with a dart in her neck.

Two of the three were sedated and the darts removed, the doe shot in the neck ran off, the release said. Sauder is canvasing the area looking for the suffering doe.

“Whoever did this was intentionally inflicting pain and causing these animals to suffer,” Sauder said. “This is illegal harassment of wildlife. It’s something we take very seriously.”

CPW is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person, or people, who are shooting the deer. Anyone illegally injuring or killing wildlife could face misdemeanor charges including harassment of wildlife, hunting big game without a license, illegal taking of wildlife and reckless endangerment among other charges, the news release said. Convictions could result in fines ranging from $750 to $3,000, and up to six months in jail.

Anyone with information on the incident, or on a suspect, is asked to call Sauder at 719-989-1027. Anonymous information and tips can be made to Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648, by dialing #OGT from a Verizon cellphone, or by email at [email protected].

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