Pittsburgh police are looking for individuals who duct-taped mice to fireworks before igniting the devices, then posted videos of the rodents’ deaths to social media.
The police bureau announced Wednesday it was aware of the animal cruelty acts and an accompanying social-media post.
Detectives said they have recovered a plastic bin, fireworks remnants and a roll of tape recently from the 400 block of Mt. Pleasant Road in the city’s Northview Heights neighborhood where authorities believe the incident occurred.
A man, who authorities did not name, has been “detained on unrelated charges” following the execution on Aug. 14 of a search warrant, according to Eliza Durham, a police spokesperson.
“Additional charges (are) forthcoming,” Durham said.
Officers in Northview Heights also have reviewed city camera footage, the spokeswoman said. It remained unclear Wednesday what had been captured on camera.
The mice were reportedly purchased from a local pet store, police said.
