Islamorada resident Glenda Soler was beside herself when she spotted a squirrel with a blow dart through its body some eight months ago.
Fast forward to Sunday, Aug. 3, and Soler says she saw yet another squirrel impaled by a blow dart with an orange cap. She said she believes it’s someone in the neighborhood where the incident occurred, behind Centennial Bank at MM 81, oceanside, in the village.
“The one we saw eight months ago, we never saw the little creature again,” Soler told Keys Weekly on Monday, Aug. 4.
After spotting the second squirrel with a blow dart through its chest, Soler said she called the bird sanctuary, which gave her a number for a local rescuer. Efforts to capture the squirrel were unsuccessful, however. Soler said Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were contacted about the incident.
Soler put out a Facebook post in hopes someone has information on the person who committed the inhumane act. Using blow darts on animals is illegal in the state of Florida.
“There’s no need for this horrendous act of cruelty,” Soler said. “It breaks my heart.”
Anyone with information can call the sheriff’s office at 305-853-3211 or the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
