Toronto police are investigating after a deer was found dead with an arrow lodged in its body at Park Lawn Cemetery on New Year’s Day — an incident that has sparked anger among Etobicoke residents and prompted a community memorial.
Police tell CityNews they were called to the cemetery just before 9 a.m. on Jan. 1 after someone discovered the animal on the grounds. When officers arrived, they found the deer dead with an arrow in its side. The deer’s antlers were also sawed off.
A Conservation Officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry was notified, and the investigation remains active. Police say they do not have a suspect description and have not released details on whether the killing is believed to have happened on‑site or elsewhere.
“The charges the suspect could possibly face are possession of a weapon, unnecessary suffering to animals, and injuring/endangering animals,” a police spokesperson said.
Park Lawn Cemetery, located near Bloor Street West and Prince Edward Drive, is known for its green space and frequent wildlife sightings. Deer often wander through the grounds from nearby Humber River trails, making the area a popular spot for nature watchers.
A Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson told CityNews that the matter is under investigation.
“Anyone with information that could assist officers in their investigation, please contact the MNR Tips Line at 1-877-847-7667,” they said.
A Park Lawn Cemetery representative said they were aware of the one deer being killed and acknowledged the active investigation, but refused to comment further.
Memorial held as outrage grows in Etobicoke neighbourhood
The discovery has prompted intense scrutiny, particularly online, with community members taking to social media to express their collective disgust.
According to a publicly shared Facebook post, locals organized and attended a memorial for the deer in the days following its discovery at the site.
“May the person who shot the deer (with a bow and arrow) and sawed off its antlers burn in everlasting hellfire,” the post reads.
Heather Rutledge, who lives in the area, told CityNews on Wednesday that the many deer frequently observed at the cemetery bring comfort to those in the neighbourhood, adding that she’s appalled by the act.
“Whoever is doing this needs to be found and caught,” she said.
Some residents say this is not the first troubling discovery. In the wake of the deer’s killing on Jan. 1, one Facebook user claimed that two additional deer were found dead at the cemetery days later on Jan. 4. Toronto police and the Ministry of Natural Resources have not confirmed those reports.
“We are unable to comment further,” a Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson said.
Bow‑and‑arrow hunting is prohibited in Toronto under municipal bylaws that ban the use of weapons — including archery equipment — for hunting due to public‑safety risks. Discharging a bow in an urban area can result in significant fines and criminal charges.
Under the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act, a person who hunts or traps wildlife must hold a licence issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Anyone with information about the incident or who may have seen suspicious activity around New Year’s Day is urged to contact Toronto police.