Famous reindeer euthanized after someone sprayed an ‘unknown substance’ in its pen
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A famous reindeer in Alaska has died as authorities investigate security footage of someone spraying an unknown substance in his pen.
Star was euthanized on Tuesday due to his “serious deteriorating health.” The reindeer was eight years old.
“We had hoped he would survive, but that was not the case,” said Star’s caretaker, Albert Whitehead.
Star is the seventh reindeer Whitehead has cared for. His reindeer have become a fixture of downtown Anchorage. They made regular appearances around town and in parades.
“We were expecting to have him for another 10 years,” Whitehead’s partner Martha Anderson said. “He’s just gone, overnight.”
Star began showing signs of illness after a set of incidents in February.
During the first incident, a man jumped the fence of Whitehead’s property, cut the lock to Star’s pen and led the reindeer away. Star was later found by police wandering through downtown Anchorage and returned.
In the second incident, Whitehead said the same man returned and sprayed an unknown substance into Star’s pen, presumably the cause of the reindeer’s illness.
Though it’s possible Star’s death was due to natural causes, Whitehead said he believes it may be related to that incident.
“We thought we had his problems under control, but they came back,” Whitehead said, adding that Star’s necropsy results will take several weeks to arrive.
When asked if he plans on getting another reindeer, Whitehead said, “It’s just not safe right now.”
Both encounters were caught on camera, and police have opened an investigation.
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