PINEVILLE, LA. — The Pineville Police Department began investigating a restaurant on April 21 after receiving a complaint that an employee had been seen skinning a dead animal behind the building, according to a press release. Officers determined the animal was a deer that had allegedly been found on the side of a road and brought back to the restaurant.

Police found the deer carcass in the restaurant's freezer alongside other food items, according to the press release. The other items in the freezer were allegedly intended to be served to customers.

Officers contacted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Department of Health, and both agencies launched investigations. No arrests or charges had been announced as of April 25, according to the press release.

A viral video on social media allegedly showed restaurant employees skinning a deer behind the building. A social media post also accused staff at the Chinese restaurant of skinning roadkill behind the establishment.

A statement issued on behalf of the restaurant addressed the incident. "We apologize for the recent incident. The item involved was never intended to be served to customers, but it was improperly stored. It has been fully cleaned and sanitized," the statement said.

In Louisiana, collecting or harvesting roadkill is illegal without permission from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Under Louisiana law, anyone wishing to collect roadkill, including deer, must first obtain permission from the department before doing so. Violations of the state's roadkill regulations can result in referral to the wildlife agency for further action, according to the press release.