South Dakota Officials Investigate Heartless Shooting of Bobcat

A shocking image of a deceased South Dakota bobcat is circling the internet for all the wrong reasons.

A South Dakota Wildlife Conservation Officer, Dylan Peterson, was called to a scene where a bystander discovered a bobcat on Bad River Road in Stanley County. Officer Peterson saw the dead bobcat lying on the railroad tracks eight miles south of Fort Pierre. You would think this poor bobcat was hit by a train...but think again.

Get our free mobile app

READ MORE: Here Kitty...South Dakota Firefighters Rescue Big Mountain Lion

This innocent bobcat appeared to have been shot. In a Facebook post from South Dakota Turn In Poachers, officials shared the gruesome images of the bobcat, and they want answers.

Warning...pictures might be graphic for young viewers. 

Officials are assuming that some jerk shot this bobcat from the road and left it to suffer...awful.

It is likely the bobcat was shot sometime over the weekend. If you have any information regarding this incident, please call 1-888-OVERBAG (or submit an online report at https://survey123.arcgis.com/.../422a8b6f2d8b4b028d4f6647......), or contact WCO Peterson at 605-730-3774.

Anyone with information about this senseless bobcat killing can possibly receive a reward for their help in protecting South Dakota wildlife.

Are Bobcats normally found in South Dakota?

Experts with South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks say bobcats are primarily found in the western part of the state. Eastern counties in South Dakota might see some bobcats close to the Missouri River. They live in rough, rugged country along riparian areas, rocky buttes, timbered draws and creeks, and throughout the Black Hills. Bobcats are actively in the state, but they are rarely seen.

This is cruel. I hope the South Dakota Turn In Poachers find this jerk!