PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) - Pineville Police Department released a statement on Wednesday, April 22, in response to a viral Facebook post that began circulating that afternoon.
In the post which has since been taken down, a person claimed that an employee at a Chinese restaurant in Pineville was seen skinning a dead animal. They also provided a photo of the alleged incident.
Pineville Police said they sent officers out to the 2900 block of Cottingham Expressway after receiving a complaint related to the viral post.
At the restaurant, officers said they found evidence indicating that the dead animal was a deer. The deer had allegedly been collected after being found dead on the side of the road.
Officers then investigated the restaurant’s freezer, where they found the deer carcass along side other food that was allegedly supposed to be served to customers.
PPD reportedly contacted the Louisiana Department of Health and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Both arrived at the scene and have begun their own investigations.
PPD said all questions about wildlife violations or health codes should be directed to the LDWF and LDH, respectively.
This is an ongoing investigation.