ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. -- Police said someone frustrated at gas prices left a dead deer and a sign at a Cheatham County gas station.

Related: Video | Special Section: Gas Prices

Rising gas prices are weighing heavily on everyone, and Moe Patel said he does his best to keep matters light with his customers.

It was at Patel’s station last week that Patel’s wife found a dead pregnant deer with a note attached to it that said, “Lower gas prices. Humans are taking it out on us.”

"My wife and I, we’re both dumbfounded. It doesn’t make sense," Patel said.

Cheatham County Sheriff John Holder said the doe was tied to a post at the bottom of the gas price sign.

"No sense at all. No sense at all. Like I say, it’s just a criminal mind," he said.

Detectives and officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are investigating who killed and dumped the deer and why.

Whoever is responsible could face animal cruelty charges, police said.

"They have a right to be frustrated," Patel said.

Patel said he understands the anger but said that people should aim higher with their complaints because sinking to the level of killing an innocent animal doesn’t help anyone.

"My and my wife run this small business. … If they really want to make a change and give a message, you know, for example, take it in front of the White House lawn. … If you have problem with the gas prices, do something about it. What am I going to do about it? I can’t do anything about it, you know. I’m just the messenger," he said.

The gas station does not have surveillance cameras outside the store.

Officials said it is possible that the deer could be road kill because they haven’t determined the cause of its death. A report said only that the deer had trauma to the back part of its body.

Holder said however it died, tying it up and moving it to the gas station was the act of more than one person.

If you have any information on this case, you should call the Cheatham County Sheriff's Department at 615-792-4341.

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