Two men were arrested this week after numerous 911 calls about blood coming out of a vehicle led officers to the suspects.

Not knowing exactly what they were dealing with, El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers conducted a felony stop on the SUV and detained the two occupants Nov. 18 at about 2:20pm.

Multiple law enforcement officers converged on the area and the Toyota was spotted by an El Dorado County K9 unit traveling west on Highway 50 nearing the Sacramento County line at a high rate of speed.

Officers said the the two subjects illegally shot the spike male deer with a shotgun off Ponderosa Road, and after the deer collapsed, threw it in the back of the Toyota. Shortly thereafter, while driving away, the deer regained consciousness and began struggling. One or both of the subjects used an edged weapon to stab the deer until it finally died, leaving the car and it’s occupants splattered in blood, and blood dripping heavily out the back of the car, deputies said.

Scott Lee, 46, of Sacramento, and 32 year old Nai Saechao, 32, of Sacramento were arrested by Fish and Game officers on charges of violating multiple laws related to hunting, including poaching, as well as felony animal cruelty. Both have posted bail.

 — Lake Tahoe News staff report