The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission needs the public’s help catching whoever brutally beat a family of deer to death at Nature’s Classroom in Thonotosassa earlier this month.

  • Incident occurred sometime between October 2-3
  • Staff at Nature's Classroom found three deer killed
  • No surveillance video available, no suspects at this time
  • Have information on the incident? Report online at www.crimestopperstb.com

“It's a cruel act,” said FWC Officer James Boogaerts. “It's a serious crime.”

Boogaerts said someone snuck into the fenced-in, 365-acre wildlife center operated by the Hillsborough County School District sometime between Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. Staff found three deer killed on the property.

“They were beaten to ultimately their death,” Boogaerts said. “Someone knows about this and it's very upsetting.”

Teacher Lisa Wancio has taken the deer deaths hard. She said she considered them pets, and even gave the deer family names to engage students.

"I would tell them 'you're about to see the Perry family,'” she said. “We have Buck Perry, Rosie Perry and Katy Perry."

Wancio said at first the staff thought Katy would survive the brutal attack.

"When the vet examined her the next day, we thought everything was going to be okay,” she said. “I think she died the next morning from shock.”

Principal Barbara Mercer said more security cameras have been added at Nature’s Classroom. In addition, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office is conducting nightly patrols.

"It truly is a difficult time for all of us and certainly for the students who come here,” she said. “I just can't understand how anybody can do this to an animal.”

Boogaerts said they do not have any surveillance video of the suspect or any leads.

“We are reaching out to the public,” he said. “If you heard something, saw something, seen something, please contact us.”

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect involved in this case.  Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for a cash reward. Anyone with a tip can remain anonymous by calling 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or online at www.crimestopperstb.com.