Full Notification

On 3/26/16 at approximately 12:48pm, the Berkeley Police Department responded to the 100 block of Seawall Drive for a report of Cruelty to Animals. Upon arrival officers made contact with a City of Berkeley Groundskeeper who reported having discovered five animals(a feral cat, an opossum, and three raccoons), three of which were deceased and two which were suffering from some unknown injury or illness.

The Groundskeeper transported the animals to the Berkeley Animal Shelter prior to the arrival of the Police Department. One of the two remaining animals died shortly after it arrived at the Animal Shelter and the second animal was later euthanized to keep it from suffering further.

The Animal Shelter’s Veterinarian conducted a necropsy on the animals to determine the cause of death. Initially there was some concern that the animals had been intentionally poisoned because one was found in close proximity to an animal feeder. Scans of the animals showed that three of them had been shot with some form of pellet gun and the projectiles were still present in their bodies.

Officers located and documented the likely locations where the animals had been shot and a canvas of the Marina was conducted for possible witnesses. The Police Department is asking for the community's help solving this crime. If anyone had information on the matter they are asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at (510) 981-5900.