In a chilling attack straight out of the Grinch’s playbook, someone poisoned Anchorage’s beloved pet reindeer, Star, forcing owners to make the heart-wrenching decision to euthanize the iconic animal that brought joy to countless Alaskans.
AT A GLANCE
- Star, a downtown Anchorage reindeer, was euthanized after showing severe health decline linked to poisoning.
- His pen was broken into multiple times, including a February incident where he was sprayed with an unknown substance.
- Star developed pneumonia and relapsed after showing signs of recovery.
- He was the seventh reindeer in a local tradition dating to the 1950s.
- Authorities have not identified any suspects in the ongoing investigation.
A Reindeer That Symbolized Community
Star, an 8-year-old reindeer who was as familiar to Anchorage residents as city hall or Town Square Park, died this week following suspected poisoning and abuse that sparked community outrage and grief. The animal, whose presence marked a continuation of a local tradition stretching back nearly 70 years, had been suffering from severe respiratory complications since an incident in February when someone broke into his enclosure and sprayed an unknown substance in his face.
According to Alaska Public Media, Star’s caretaker, Albert Whitehead, was forced to make the difficult decision to euthanize the reindeer after a sudden and tragic decline in his health. “His health was so bad that he was not doing very well. He was suffering,” Whitehead said.
Disturbing Pattern of Abuse
This wasn’t the first incident. Starting in January, Star’s caretakers noticed unexplained issues with his diet and weight, prompting concern. In February, the situation escalated dramatically when the locks on Star’s pen were cut, allowing him to wander downtown unsupervised. It was during this break-in that someone reportedly sprayed a chemical agent into his face, causing long-term respiratory damage.
Whitehead told the Associated Press that after showing initial signs of recovery, Star “started to recover and then all of a sudden reversed himself, and we decided it was not possible to save him.”
Watch local news coverage of Star’s story.
No Suspects, Few Answers
As of now, Anchorage Police have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the case. A necropsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death, but results may not be available for weeks. The lack of arrests or public leads has only deepened frustration within the community, especially for those who had long seen Star as a symbol of Anchorage’s seasonal charm and cultural heritage.
“There’s been a pattern of someone tampering with his pen and possibly doing something to make him go off diet,” Whitehead noted in interviews with Alaska Public Media.
An Uncertain Future for a Cherished Tradition
Star was the seventh reindeer to live in the downtown pen since the 1950s, a fixture that brought joy to children, visitors, and locals alike. The animals appeared in holiday parades, school visits, and even local television specials. Now, with Star’s untimely death and no accountability for the attacks, Whitehead is reconsidering whether the tradition can continue.
“I don’t have an answer as to why he had to be put down other than it relates back to what happened,” Whitehead said, reflecting on the impact the assaults had on Star’s long-term health and emotional well-being.
The death of Star serves as a reflection of a larger issue occurring across America—the deliberate destruction of cherished community traditions by individuals who face no consequences for their actions.
As Anchorage mourns the loss of their reindeer, it may demonstrate what happens when citizens don’t defend the simple joys that make our communities meaningful. Star’s death should be a wake-up call—not just for Alaska, but for everyone who believes in protecting what truly matters.
