One of the fawns that were living in the backyard of a Livonia home.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -
Two fawns, a boy and a girl, were growing up in a backyard in Livonia. The mother gave birth at the beginning of the summer, and the neighbors near Five Mile and Hubbard have been enjoying them, watching them grazing in the garden and playing in the grass until a disturbing find Tuesday morning.
"Originally we thought just one deer had died, and then we went out to look at it and there was another deer that was cut in half," said Randy Keeth.
He and his wife, Loreen, own the home whose yard the deer had adopted as their own.
"I know they're not mine, and I knew that they were going to be gone fairly soon, just not the way they were," Loreen Keeth said.
Loreen first found one of the fawns dead Tuesday morning. Then she started looking for the other one.
"Then I went outside and looked for the second one and I found the front half only and the back half was gone, and I called the police and I called the DNR to report poaching."
"In our yard at night while we were sleeping. I can't believe it," Randy Keeth said.
"It's such a shock. I can't believe that anyone could be so monstrous. They were so adorable, still babies, hoping around like little puppy dogs, the two of them running around in the backyard together," said neighbor Pat Snider.
But Livonia police say an animal could have killed the fawns. There's no evidence to suggest otherwise, but the Keeths and their neighbors aren't buying it and believe a person was responsible for this attack on two defenseless animals.
The homeowners are so upset they are offering a reward, their own money, just to find out who is responsible.
"I'm offering a $500 reward. We've reported it to the DNR, so there's criminal trespass, poaching, cruelty to animals," said Randy Keeth.
They're asking anyone with information to contact the DNR or Livonia police.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.