Tips from the public needed after dog and owner deliberately hit while walking across street
Cincinnati, OH (October 21, 2011) – RedRover, a nonprofit animal protection organization based in Sacramento, California, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever deliberately drove a vehicle into a woman and her dog while they were walking across the street in the North Avondale neighborhood on Wednesday morning.
The Cincinnati resident was crossing the intersection of Washington Avenue and Greenwood at 9 a.m. with her leashed basset hound Maple when a dark sedan with heavily tinted windows ran a stop sign and hit them. Witnesses reported that the driver then deliberately backed up and hit the woman and her dog at least one more time while they were lying injured in the street before speeding off.
The victim suffered bruises and scrapes, but Maple is in worse shape. Maple required emergency veterinary care and hospitalization for severe shock and internal injuries, costs that the victim, a single mom, was unsure how she could cover. RedRover provided a $150 grant and the veterinary clinic, Mason Family Pet Hospital, provided additional discounts, but Maple may require hundreds more dollars of continuing care. For information on how to make an additional donation for Maple, please contact RedRover at 916-429-2457.
“Maple is such a friendly and loving dog; all the neighborhood children love her,” said the victim. “She is in so much pain that she cannot move. I cannot even pet her head without her howling out in pain. My six-year-old daughter is very worried about her puppy. To know that someone ran into us deliberately is terrifying.”
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this disturbing act to come forward with information that could lead to an arrest,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “Cincinnati residents have a stake in seeing whoever committed this senseless act is punished to the full extent of the law. A person who would deliberately use a vehicle as a weapon to hurt an innocent woman and a dog is a danger to the community, people and pets alike.”
Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information about the case is encouraged to call Cincinnati Police at (513) 765-1212.
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. However, RedRover has only paid the reward twice in 17 years, highlighting the need for law enforcement, prosecutors and citizens to take such crimes more seriously.
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. Learn more at www.redrover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi (916) 429-2457 Photos available upon request.
MEDIA COVERAGE
ABC 9 WPCO: Avondale woman says she and her dog were intentionally hit by a driver
Local 12 WKRC: Group Offers Reward After Woman, Dog Hit By Car
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