PERRY HALL, Md. — The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action are deeply disturbed by the sickening case of a severely burned and dead fawn found tied with ropes in a residential street in Baltimore County earlier this week. This hideous act has rightly shattered residents’ sense of safety and compassion in the community.
Initial reports confirm the animal’s body showed signs of torture and was discovered in a residential neighborhood near Bangert Avenue. The circumstances suggest malicious cruelty, warranting a thorough investigation and legal accountability.
Animal Wellness Action is offering a $5,000 reward for credible information leading to the identification, arrest, and successful prosecution of the individual(s) responsible under state or federal animal cruelty statutes.
“This horrific crime is not only an affront to the innocence and vulnerability of a benign and newborn animal, but a red flag warning of a violent person who is a threat to the larger community,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “We urge local law enforcement to treat this case with the utmost seriousness and pursue maximum charges. We stand ready to assist with financial resources for the tip that leads to the apprehension of this individual.”
Animal cruelty is closely correlated with other criminal conduct, including interpersonal violence. Research shows those who abuse animals are significantly more likely to commit other serious offenses. That’s why we are also renewing our support for federal legislation designed to combat such crimes:
“It is critical to find the perpetrator,” added Pacelle. “Very frequently acts of malice like this one are a first outburst of violence, and the next victim may be a dog, a child, or an adult human being.
Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are currently advocating for upgrades in federal law enforcement capacity because of the close correlation between animal cruelty and human violence. The Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, H.R. 1477, establishes a set of dedicated prosecutors to work with local and federal authorities to enforce our anti-cruelty laws. And the FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act, H.R. 3683, would create a policing unit within the FBI to focus on animal cruelty crimes.
The Commerce, Justice, State Fiscal Year 2026 spending bill, which funds the Department of Justice, directs the agency to create an animal cruelty crimes section within the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Baltimore County Police at 410‑887‑INFO or submit tips securely and anonymously to animalcrueltytips@animalwellnessaction.org.