Reward Increased to $16,000 for Info in Horrific California Puppy Killing
Puppy Was Badly Beaten, Hung From Tree
A reward of $16,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person, or persons, who beat a puppy to death and left it hanging from a tree in Sacramento, Calif.
Animal control officials say the lifeless body of the terrier mix was found hanging from the tree near the Sacramento Levee trail, just a few miles from the city’s downtown, on Jan. 19. Weighing 12 pounds, it’s believed the puppy was only four months old.
A necropsy on the dog found “diffuse and traumatic injuries throughout the entire body,” including “fractures from nose to tail” and abdominal injuries, chief animal control officer Jace Huggins told The Sacramento Bee. “These injuries suggest severe, severe abuse,” Huggins said.
Humane Society: Killing of the Puppy 'Shocking'
After the dog’s body was found, a reward of $7,00 was offered. But with community outrage mounting and no arrests made, that reward was boosted to $16,000, with the Humane Society of the United States, the Sacramento SPCA and private citizens pitching in to increase the reward.
“The brutal killing of this defenseless animal is shocking,” Crystal Moreland, the HSUS’ California state director, said in a statement. “We hope our reward will help find the perpetrator of this heinous crime.”
Investigators Hoping Picture of Leash Will Lead to Killer
In the hopes of finding the killer, or killers, of the puppy, authorities have released photos of the leash the dog was wearing when it was found. The leash, new and in good condition, is described as having a Grateful Dead skull symbol in a smoke grey color.
People who may have information about the dog are are asked to call Sacramento Animal Control at 916-808-5855 or Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP.
Pair of Injured, Abandoned Puppies Doing Better
Meanwhile, in another matter involving puppies in Sacramento, two Shepherd mix puppies who suffered what were described as massive wounds and were abandoned outside the Sacramento SPCA on Feb. 27 are recovering. SPCA officials don’t know what caused the wounds, but they could have been the result of a dog attack.
After getting care from the shelter’s medical team the dogs are recovering in foster care.
Abandoned Puppies Recovering
Officials Note Link Between Violence, Cruelty Towards Animals
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