Wednesday, August 01, 2001
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE U.S. OFFERS $2,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DOG MUTILATION IN VICTORIA, TX
DALLAS (August 1, 2001) -The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for abducting a boxer in Victoria, TX in March and cutting out his tongue.
The boxer, "Reno," was abducted from his home on March 24 and was returned
two weeks later, after Reno's family had posted a monetary reward for his return. According to reports, Reno's owner did not detect anything seriously wrong with the dog when he was returned. Only later did the owner realize Reno's tongue was missing.
According to a news story in The Victoria Advocate, a veterinarian who examined Reno determined that someone likely constricted the dog's tongue with a rubber band, cutting off blood circulation and causing the tongue to fall off.
"It is unconscionable that someone would deliberately abuse an animal," said Jef Hale, program coordinator for The HSUS Southwest Regional Office in Dallas. The regional office represents the states of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. "This act of cruelty is now a permanent part of Reno's life," Hale said. He will always be suffering with the disability of not being able to eat, drink and pant as a dog should normally be able to do."
A veterinarian treated Reno for several weeks before he returned to live with his family. Unfortunately, Reno's family decided they could not keep him because of the demands of his special care and turned the dog over to the Southern Animal Rescue Association (SARA), an animal shelter near Seguin. After a nationwide adoption plea by SARA, Reno was placed with an Illinois family who has three boxers among their canine brood.
"We encourage anyone with information about this cruelty case to contact the authorities," Hale said. "Crimes against animals are frequently a precursor to crimes against people. Until this person or persons are brought to justice, the community will be vulnerable to other acts of violence."
The person or persons responsible for this crime face Class-A misdemeanor animal cruelty penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Last month, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed new felony animal cruelty legislation into law that increases the penalties to felony status for cruelty toward companion animals such as dogs and cats. That law goes into effect September 1.
The connection between animal cruelty and violence towards people is well documented. The HSUS First Strike Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about this connection while providing resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and citizens. For more information on the First Strike Campaign, visit The HSUS Web site at www.hsus.org.
The Victoria Police Department is investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Roy Boyd at 361-572-2744.
Contact: Jef Hale: (972) 488-2964 or Karen L. Allanach: (301) 548-7778. |
