SOUTHWICK – Last Monday at approximately 8 p.m., the Southwick Police Department received a report of a deer being poached on Coes Hill Rd.
According to Southwick Chief of Police Kevin Bishop, an individual in a motor vehicle was seen firing a gun at a deer with their spot lights on the vehicle.
The deer poaching incident occurred on Coes Hill Road.
“This is the only known reporting of an actual poaching incident that occurred where a weapon was used,” said Bishop.
Bishop added that this is the lone report that the police department has received recently.
“We’re not getting numerous reports of vehicles spotting deer at night,” said Bishop. “At this time, we feel it’s an isolated incident.”
The Environmental Police has now taken over the investigation. According to Katie Gronendyke, the Press Secretary for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Environmental Police can’t give any specific information on the incident in Southwick. However, Gronendyke did say that the Environmental Police is investigating multiple deer hunting violations in Western Massachusetts since the shotgun deer season began on November 26.
Gronendyke added that she’ll be providing more information about the incident on Coes Hill Rd. soon. The Westfield News will update this story once more information is provided.
