In East Hartford, Connecticut, two squirrels—one red, one bright blue—were recently spotted with their fur spray-painted. While they appear physically unharmed, the act itself is a form of animal cruelty, and it’s not a joke.

This wasn’t art. This wasn’t funny. It was intentional harm to wild animals, which causes stress, possible poisoning, vulnerability to predators, and suffering—whether or not injuries are visible.

We, the undersigned, call on East Hartford Police and Animal Control to fully investigate this incident and pursue charges if the person responsible is found

Connecticut lawmakers to consider explicit penalties for harming wildlife with non-lethal but cruel actions, such as dyeing, spray-painting, or gluing foreign objects to wild animals

The public to report any further sightings or information and treat all acts of animal abuse—no matter how “minor”—as serious.

Spray-painting wildlife isn’t mischief. It’s a crime. The animals can’t speak, but we can.