Request to the Salt Lake City District Attorney,

We, the undersigned residents and community members, respectfully urge the Salt Lake City District Attorney’s Office to conduct a thorough review and pursue appropriate criminal charges in connection with Case #26-140258 involving repeated, intentional harm to protected wildlife within the Poplar Grove neighborhood.

Summary of the Incident
On May 3rd at approximately 6:38 AM a black Toyota Tacoma was captured on video striking and killing a peacock on a residential street near a school while traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver did not stop after the incident.

Since that time, three additional birds have been struck and killed in the same area—an unprecedented pattern that has deeply alarmed residents and school staff.

Escalation and Admission of Intent
On June 24th, a resident witnessed the same black Tacoma traveling at a high speed down the street while birds were nearby. Concerned for their safety, the resident signaled for the driver to slow down.

The driver responded by rolling down his window and engaging with the resident. During this interaction:

The resident explained that the peafowl have been part of the Poplar Grove community for nearly 100 years.
The driver stated they did not care and admitted that he had been intentionally hitting the birds with his vehicle.
He further stated that he intended to continue doing so.
When informed that law enforcement had been contacted previously and efforts were underway to identify him, the driver drove away while reaffirming his intent.

Identification of the Vehicle
On June 26th, a local school employee positively identified the vehicle using a previously noted partial license plate. This information was reported to law enforcement.

Officers later contacted the individual associated with the vehicle. While the individual acknowledged making inappropriate statements, he failed to disclose his admission of intentional harm. Despite being informed that video evidence existed, he attempted to deny knowledge of the original incident.

Legal and Public Safety Concerns
The facts of this case—including:

Video evidence of a fatal collision,
A pattern of repeated incidents,
A direct admission of intentional harm and stated future intent,
appear to meet the threshold for animal cruelty under applicable law, including:

Physical abuse of an animal
Intentional killing of birds
Beyond the harm to animals, this situation raises serious concerns for public safety, including:

Reckless driving at high speeds in a residential area near a school
A demonstrated pattern of intentional, harmful behavior
Fear and distress among residents, children, and school staff
Animal cruelty is widely recognized as a serious offense that can be associated with broader patterns of violent behavior. Failure to address such conduct may increase risks to both animals and the community.

Community Impact
The Poplar Grove peafowl are a cherished and historic part of the neighborhood, present for nearly a century. They are:

Cared for and protected by residents
Known and named by members of the community
Symbolically represented in local public spaces, including a mural at the Poplar Grove police precinct
These birds represent the identity, history, and shared pride of the neighborhood.

Our Request
We respectfully ask that the Salt Lake City District Attorney:

Review all available evidence, including video footage and witness testimony
Consider the full scope of behavior, including admissions of intent
File all appropriate criminal charges supported by the evidence
Take this matter seriously to ensure accountability and community safety

Closing Statement
Failing to act in this case risks sending a message that intentional cruelty and reckless endangerment can occur without consequence. Our community deserves protection, and our shared heritage deserves respect.

We urge your office to take decisive and appropriate action.

Respectfully,
The Residents and Supporters of Poplar Grove