Hundreds of dead pets found in woods
West Virginia investigates 4,000 pounds of discarded carcasses

From Michael McManus
CNN

Thursday, February 2, 2006; Posted: 7:00 p.m. EST (00:00 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Hundreds of dead cats, dogs and other animals were found in two wooded areas of West Virginia, the state Division of Natural Resources said Thursday.

More than 250 dead animals have been identified, inventoried and photographed, the state said. They included animals with rabies vaccination and name tags, indicating they were pets.

Most of the animals were dogs and cats, but there were also mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, hawks and deer.