Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sheriff’s officer accuses Punxsutawney Phil of deception

Groundhog Club handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 131st celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob on Feb. 2, 2017 in Punxsutawney, Pa. (Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)
Associated Press

STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Punxsutawney Phil is a wanted … groundhog.

A Pennsylvania sheriff’s officer has put up a wanted poster for Phil.

The handlers of the groundhog last month said the furry rodent called for six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said that expired last week, yet a spring storm brought more snow to the Northeast on Wednesday and Thursday.

Cpl. Scott Martin told WBRE-TV he created the poster and placed it on the “wanted wall” because he is sick of snow in the spring.

The poster claimed Phil is wanted for deception. Phil is described as having “brown and grey hair, brown eyes, sharp teeth.”

Records dating to 1887 show Phil has predicted more winter 103 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times.