Authorities in Toronto have launched a joint investigation following the grim discovery of a dead white-tailed deer in a city cemetery. The animal was found shot with an arrow and mutilated, sparking outrage and a search for the perpetrator.
Discovery in a Place of Rest
On January 1, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Toronto Police officers were called to the Park Lawn Cemetery in Etobicoke. The cemetery is located near the intersection of Bloor St. W. and Prince Edward Dr., adjacent to King's Mill Park and the Humber River. Upon arrival, they found a deceased male deer with an arrow embedded in the side of its body.
Investigators noted that the animal's antlers had been cut off and removed from the scene. The deer was "left to waste," according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, indicating the meat was not harvested for consumption.
A Serious Offence Under Investigation
Toronto Police immediately notified provincial conservation officers, leading to a collaborative probe. Investigators believe the deer was shot with a bow and arrow sometime between December 31, 2025, and the morning of its discovery on New Year's Day.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources emphasized the severity of the act. "This is a serious offence, and the ministry is committed to holding those responsible accountable," the spokesperson stated. The ministry is treating the incident as a case of an animal being killed and wasted, which violates provincial wildlife conservation laws.
Police have stated that possible charges could include possession of a weapon, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and injuring or endangering animals. Bow-and-arrow hunting is strictly prohibited within Toronto city limits.
Community Reaction and Plea for Tips
The incident has disturbed local residents and frequent visitors to the area. Park Lawn Cemetery is known for frequent deer sightings, as the animals often wander onto the grounds from the nearby Humber River trails.
In the days following the discovery, locals organized a small memorial at the site to honour the killed deer. Toronto writer Sean Plummer commented on the event in a Facebook post on January 12, writing, "May the person who shot the deer (with a bow and arrow) and sawed off its antlers burn in everlasting hellfire."
Authorities are now seeking the public's assistance. They are asking anyone with information, including potential video recordings from the area around the cemetery between December 31 and January 1, to come forward. Tips can be provided anonymously to the Ministry of Natural Resources' TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 or to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The investigation by both Toronto Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Conservation remains active as they work to identify a suspect.
