Nov 20, 2015 2 min read

Peters Township police identified four teenage boys allegedly responsible for leaving a spray-painted deer carcass near the driveway of Peters Township High School, where district teachers have been picketing since late last month.

Police Chief Harry Fruecht said the incident was intended as a prank and was not aimed at the teachers, who have been on strike since Oct. 28.

“There was no intimidation factor involved,” Fruecht said. “They are remorseful of their behavior.”

The deer, which had “PT” spray-painted in blue on its side, was found late Monday night on the sidewalk by a school custodian.

Fruecht said the boys, all Peters Township residents either 16 and 17, were identified by video and other methods.

It was not clear how the animal, a female deer, was killed. Fruecht said rigor mortis started to set in, and the corpse was beginning to emit an odor.

“We believe it might have been road kill,” he said.

Fruecht met with the parents of three of the boys Friday morning at the police station. It has not been determined if the juveniles will pay a fine or perform community service, he said. They are facing township criminal code violations, as well as state Game Commission violations, said Fruecht, who will meet with parents of the fourth boy soon.

This incident marks the second time a dead animal was placed where teachers were picketing. In the early days of the strike, a dead squirrel in a plastic grocery bag reportedly was thrown at teachers.

The 285 striking teachers, who had been working without a contract since Aug. 31, are scheduled to return to the classroom Nov. 27. To date, no additional negotiating sessions are scheduled.