Police were also looking into an incident in which children allegedly chased two fawns, causing them to run into nearby fences where they suffered serious cuts.

Boulder Police Department Commander Joe Pelle said the police had no definite suspects but believed local children might be to blame for the attacks, which were not necessarily related.

"Normally we find this kind of thing done by a kid and it's a kid we worry about," Pelle said.

Animal rights activists say that torture of animals is often a precursor of violence toward humans.

Humane Society of Boulder Valley veterinarians concluded the raccoon had been stabbed repeatedly with a sharp object and all four legs had been broken and cut off. Pelle said the amputations occurred after the animal was dead.

FAWN LOST TEETH

One of the fawns, which were no more than a few weeks old, lost several bottom teeth, according to Connie Howard, operations director at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Originally neighbors reported that the fawns were hit by the children, but interviews taken individually indicate the animals may only have been chased, Pelle said. "We're asking people to be patient," Pelle said.

The two fawns were found near railroad tracks and returned to their mother who was nearby watching on the other side of a fence.