Police in Marathon, Florida conducted a stop early Sunday morning when they noticed a Chevrolet hatchback swerving in and out of a lane.
Upon approaching the vehicle occupied by Miami men Yoankis Hernandez Pena and Andres Leon Valdes, they noticed an injured deer in their backseat.
According to the New York Post, deputies found an injured Key deer, which is ENDANGERED, inside the vehicle on top of a cooler, some lawn chairs and other miscellaneous items.
Pena and Valdes claimed they struck the endangered deer on US 1 north of the Seven Mile Bridge and thought it was dead, though deputies say the area is not a known Key deer habitat.
When the men realized the deer was still alive, they told police they were on their way to take the animal to a vet for treatment, but apparently, neither Pena nor Valdes called 911 or state or federal wildlife officials.
The deer was transferred to to US Fish and Wildlife officials on Big Pine Key, where it's being treated by a veterinarian. The animal will be released back into the wild if it survives.
Pena and Valdes were arrested on charges of cruelty to animals and taking, possessing or selling a federally designated endangered or threatened species.
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