City administration is investigating the alleged abuse of a porcupine by a city employee.
An anonymous e-mail being circulated details how a lineman with the Electrical Light and Power Department allegedly captured a porcupine on his acreage, tied it up, and put it in a city truck on March 4 as a joke on another lineman. When that lineman objected to the mistreatment of the animal, his fellow employee dragged the porcupine on the ground, at one point tightening the rope making it very hard for the animal to breathe.
City manager Craig Curtis said so far the investigation has revealed the porcupine was safely released into the wild at Three Mile Bend.
Curtis said he initiated the investigation as soon as he learned of the e-mail.
“We are taking it seriously. Anything related to the potential mistreatment of wildlife should be taken seriously,” Curtis said on Wednesday.
He expected the investigation to be completed quickly, at which time he will be able to make public the findings.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com