A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer went to a local neighborhood and observed a man shooting into trees and into the sky from his property. Police served a search warrant on the man’s home and found many animal carcasses on display. Blayne M. Perez faces seven charges of first-degree animal cruelty and one charge of first-degree malicious mischief.
Neighbors reported him for shooting birds and squirrels around his property, and in one instance, shooting and seriously injuring a neighbor’s cat.
The charges were filed by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. Perez faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of animal cruelty and 10 years in prison for the count of first-degree malicious mischief. Perez could also face up to a $10,000 fine for each found of animal cruelty and a $20,000 fine for the charge of malicious mischief.
Perez shot birds and squirrels and then displayed the dead animals around his property. Perez told law enforcement he displayed the carcasses in an attempt to keep the animals away from his home. The Fish and Wildlife officer described Perez’s property as “the most disturbing and grotesque scene that he had encountered in his entire career.” according to court documents.
Neighbors said Perez was continuing to shoot birds and squirrels around his neighborhood. Neighbors told police that many of them had removed their bird feeders in hopes of keeping other animals from getting killed.
Last year, a couple reported to Everett police that a man drove by their home and shot their cat. A witness saw part of a license plate that corresponded with a car registered to Perez. Law enforcement had previously seen Perez driving a car that matched the witness’s description. Perez was arrested that day.
The Moore couple said their cat was shot with a pellet. The cat had a fractured jaw and lost an eye, costing the Moores $15,000. The couple got a good look at the car and was able to tell officers what it looked like. Police recognized the description as Perez had been on their radar for months.
