Deer-slaying officer gets death threats

A Lethbridge police officer who allegedly used a truck to euthanize an injured deer has received death threats, the provincial police oversight body said Wednesday, as it urged members of the public to “remain patient and exercise restraint.”

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team said in a news release that it has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the response of a Lethbridge police officer on Jan. 5 to a report of an injured animal in distress.

“The police officer responded and killed the deer in an incident that was partially recorded by a bystander on cellphone video,” the news release states.

The video shows a police truck repeatedly running over a wounded deer on a city street.

National group Animal Justice said ASIRT is empowered to lay criminal animal cruelty charges against police officers, and wants to see a full investigation.

“Animal cruelty is a very serious criminal offence, and there is little doubt that this poor deer suffered immensely while the officer repeatedly ran her over with a heavy truck,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice.

ASIRT officials said while the video that went public is evidence, it captures “only a portion of the incident.”

“A full, fair and objective investigation must include additional investigative steps to ensure admissible evidence as to what occurred prior to the commencement of the video, the circumstances surrounding the taking of the video and chain of custody, the identification and interview of available witnesses, relevant communications and training, and securing any other evidence that may be relevant to the event,” ASIRT said.

As part of its investigation, the oversight body will examine a police officer’s powers in situations such as this one, and will consider relevant provisions within the Criminal Code, the Animal Protection Act and the Wildlife Act. ASIRT has also been in contact with Fish and Wildlife Enforcement and the Alberta SPCA.

This case is the first ASIRT investigation to deal with an animal, an official confirmed. The video has led to complaints to various agencies, ASIRT said.

“The situation has escalated to reported death threats against the unidentified officer,” the oversight body said. “These actions are now under investigation by (Lethbridge police). Call centres ... have been overwhelmed by the volume of calls and complaints that they are receiving.”

Lethbridge police also asked the public to “exercise patience” to allow ASIRT’s investigation to progress, and said the service takes the matter “very seriously.”

A petition calling for the police officer involved to be fired had drawn more than 18,000 signatures as of late afternoon Wednesday.