Tips from the public needed to seek justice for cruelly tortured young Boxer dog
MERMET, IL (October 12, 2012) — RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization based in Sacramento, California, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever tortured and nearly killed a young adult Boxer dog earlier this week, resulting in severe injuries that will take months of rehabilitation to overcome.
On Monday, October 8, a Good Samaritan found the injured dog in Mermet, Illinois, and brought him to Project Hope No-Kill Shelter of Metropolis, Illinois, the following day. Recognizing the severity of the dog’s suffering, the dog, named Chance, was immediately transferred to Purchase Mobile Veterinarian in Paducah, Kentucky, to begin treatment. The veterinarian found that Chance’s wounds were substantial and severe. He may have been dragged behind a vehicle, burned and possibly sodomized. Pathology reports are pending and will reveal more details about the nature of the abuse that Chance suffered.
“This is the worst case of cruelty I’ve personally treated,” said Dr. Bonnie Jones, the veterinarian treating Chance. “He had his first two-hour surgery yesterday, and will require further surgeries, skin grafts and physical therapy to assist with healing and motion. He has a long rehabilitation ahead of him, but has a good prognosis of survival.”
“Someone out there knows what happened to Chance,” said Donna Grove, Treasurer of Project Hope No-Kill Shelter, which is collecting donations to fund Chance’s rehabilitation. “This cruel treatment cannot go without a response. He deserves justice.”
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call the Massac County Sheriff’s Department at 618.524.2912.
Download and share the reward flier (PDF).
A study conducted by the Massachusetts SPCA and Northeastern University showed that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violence against people, four times more likely to commit property crimes and three times more likely to be involved in drunken or disorderly offenses.
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this heinous cruelty to come forward with information that could lead to an arrest,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “Violence toward animals is often a precursor to violence toward people, so Massac County residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this sick act is punished to the full extent of the law.”
RedRover pledges rewards around the country to encourage witnesses to step forward with information about animal cruelty crimes and to highlight the need for harsher punishments in such cases.
Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. The RedRover Readers program aims to prevent animal cruelty before it happens through its unique community-based literacy approach, which helps children increase their level of empathy for people and pets through stories and discussion. Learn more about RedRover and its programs at www.redrover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi 916.429.2457 ext. 314