‘Roadkill’ Found Inside Louisiana Restaurant

A small-town restaurant in Louisiana is at the center of a stomach-turning controversy after police discovered what they described as roadkill stored right alongside food meant for customers.

The drama unfolded in Pineville, where local favorite China Queen suddenly found itself under intense scrutiny after a viral Facebook post accused the restaurant of skinning a dead animal behind the building. The now-deleted post — which reportedly included a photo — quickly spread online and sparked outrage among residents.

When the Pineville Police Department showed up to investigate, they made a troubling discovery: a deer carcass sitting in the restaurant’s freezer with other food items.

According to authorities, an individual at the restaurant claimed the deer had been picked up from the side of the road earlier that morning after apparently being struck by a vehicle the night before. The person reportedly said the meat was intended for soup — but police couldn’t determine whether it was meant for personal use or to be served to customers.

That uncertainty has only fueled concern.

Officials pointed out that while eating deer meat isn’t unusual in Louisiana, handling roadkill comes with strict rules. State law requires prior authorization to possess it — and improper storage can create serious health risks due to rapid bacterial growth.

Now, the situation has escalated beyond a local investigation. Both the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have launched formal probes into the incident.

Police say they’re continuing to assist as those investigations move forward, emphasizing public safety as their top priority.

Meanwhile, the restaurant is attempting damage control.

In a handwritten notice taped to its front door, China Queen apologized for the incident, insisting the deer was never meant to be served to diners.

“The item involved was never intended to be served to customers, but it was improperly stored,” the note read. “It has been fully cleaned and sanitized. We are cooperating with health authorities and have corrected our procedures to ensure this does not happen again.”

Still, the explanation hasn’t quieted the backlash.

Under Louisiana law, illegally possessing roadkill — including a deer — can carry serious penalties. Officials say it’s considered a class four violation, which can mean fines ranging from $400 to $950, up to 120 days in jail, or both.

Adding to the controversy, records show the restaurant had already been cited earlier this month for multiple “critical” health violations during an inspection. Those issues — including improper storage practices, unapproved equipment, and employees drinking in food prep areas — were reportedly corrected during a follow-up visit days later.

Now, with investigators digging deeper and the internet watching closely, many are left asking the same uneasy question: how did this happen in the first place — and what else might have been going on behind the scenes?