A man hiking in Pisgah National Forest was badly injured after he stepped on a nail trap over the weekend. Tyler Mayo, originally from the Nashville area, was walking with friends in a remote area of the forest when he felt something sharp.
"I just get this searing pain in my foot, and I look down and I had stepped on a nail trap," said Mayo.
According to WRAL, the plywood trap had 2-inch nails sticking out of it and was covered with leaves. Mayo said there was a message written on it, "PETA Payback," likely in reference to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said they are working with the U.S. Forest Service to hopefully find forensic evidence. The controversial organization, based in Norfolk, Virginia, denies any involvement with the trap. It is, however, offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those involved.
Mayo doesn't believe PETA would set out the traps because they would likely be a danger to animals, but he did have a plea for those thinking of setting out similar traps.
"My message would be to anyone considering doing something like this to please don't," said Mayo. "Really think about the repercussions that could come from it."
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