The bodies showed up a month ago — dead and dismembered animals positioned on the sidewalks and playfields surrounding the Mays Pond community in South Snohomish County.
It started in the neighborhood park, where residents found several squirrel and rabbit carcasses. Some of the animals were decapitated, others were missing tails or ears — even limbs.
“These animals are obviously being mutilated; they’re showing up all over,” Mays Pond resident Sally Dagna said. “It’s scary. What kind of person would do this, and how long before the bodies are our pets or children?”
On Tuesday, July 15, residents found a headless goose on the sidewalk outside the community swimming pool. They were advised not to move the body until someone from law enforcement processed the scene for evidence. No one came; the body was still on the busy sidewalk nearly 18 hours later when an animal control officer finally arrived late Tuesday evening. Residents have called 9-1-1; they’ve reported the killings to the sheriff’s office and animal control.
Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said deputies have to wait for a report from animal control.
If the agency believes a crime has taken place, the sheriff’s office would be called upon to assist in the investigation. “You can’t even talk to anyone at animal control; it’s all automated,” resident Tonya Lee-Miewald said. “You leave a message and no one calls you back.”
Residents want to see someone in uniform — an animal control officer, a sheriff’s deputy or a state trooper — patrolling their neighborhood.
“There is a sick person or group in our area mutilating animals, and we’re giving them free reign as long as they know the area’s not being patrolled,” Dagna said “I’m not trying to come down on the sheriff’s office or the officers. It’s the system that’s broken. No one is investigating this.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
