A Crossbow Incident Rattles Banner Resident

By Bobbi Zane

Julian residents living in the Banner Canyon area have been advised by wildlife officials to be on the lookout for someone who is targeting animals using a crossbow, a dangerous and illegal practice.

The warning came following a pair of incidents reported by Annette Retz, who recently moved to a house in the canyon.

The first incident took place in September, when Retz discovered a domestic cat on her property that had been shot through the neck with an arrow. Assuming it was an isolated incident, Retz rescued the cat, had her treated and when she was healed gave the animal to her father. In that process, Retz contacted San Diego Animal Control personnel and Project Rescue, which were supportive in her concern that someone might be targeting domestic animals.

That might have been the end of it. However, over the New Year’s weekend another injured animal turned up at Retz’s house. This time it was a raccoon with an arrow “sticking straight out of his neck,” she recalled.

Once again Retz reported the incident to animal control and the sheriff’s substation in Julian. Based on photos she had of the stricken animals, Retz was told the arrow was from a crossbow, a dangerous weapon.

“Both animals were hit in the neck, very precise and thought out, ” she said.

Alarmed at this point, Retz contacted the media to see if something could be done or at least to let the shooter know that this is a dangerous practice, particularly since a crossbow was used. Whatever happened, it appeared that the shooter didn’t follow up to be sure the animal had been killed. A wounded animal is dangerous.

Retz also is concerned for her family. “This is a residential area. Why are people shooting at animals? I’m afraid to let my children go outside.”

She’s urging anyone who knows about these incidents or similar ones to come forward in the hope that they can be stopped before children are harmed. Report any sightings to the Julian sheriff’s office.