Parkland RCMP are investigating a possible hate crime after a severed pig’s head was left on the school’s Pride crosswalk – Edmonton

Parkland RCMP say they are investigating a possible hate crime after a severed pig’s head was left on a Pride crosswalk at a local school over the weekend.

RCMP said officers received a report of the pig’s head at the crosswalk at Graminia School, a K-9 school in Parkland County, around 10 a.m. Sunday.

The pig is believed to have been a pet, police said, adding that its head had been severed with a bladed instrument.

The animal’s head was placed in the center of the crosswalk and RCMP said it appears to have been « intentional and designed to disturb students, staff and parents ».

Investigators are treating this as a possible hate crime targeting the school, which has a gay-straight alliance, the RCMP said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.

“An unsuspecting person might think it was a prank. An objective viewer would see it as very intolerant and provocative,” said Parkland RCMP Staff Sgt. Ian Gillan.

The RCMP is asking for the public’s help in their investigation.

Police are looking to speak to anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, anyone with information about recently missing or mutilated pigs, or any butcher or meat packer who recently sold or s a pig’s head is stolen.

“The RCMP encourages all victims and witnesses to report any hate crime or incident to their local police of jurisdiction,” Parkland RCMP said in their news release.

“Reporting hate incidents, no matter how minor, can help police better target crime prevention efforts in communities. It can also help identify trends and prevent a possible escalation into violence.

Parkland RCMP can be reached at 825-220-2000. Anonymous information may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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