Tips from the public needed after family pet was left in severe pain with life-threatening injury
Sacramento, CA (October 20, 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 mutilated a dog’s genitals using the clip of a leash in late September.
According to his owners, Geezie, a three-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix, escaped from his yard in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento in the evening. When he returned in the morning, his owners found the clip of a leash stuck around the base of his penis. The clip had to be removed using a power saw while Geezie was under anesthesia. A veterinarian assessed that the injury could only have occurred if someone placed the clip on Geezie’s penis while Geezie was in the act of mating with a female dog.
“Geezie’s pain was so severe that he could barely walk,” said Sacramento City Animal Care Officer Dan Torres. “This is one of the worst cases of deliberate cruelty I have seen. This dog deserves justice and we need the community’s help to find the person who did this.”
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this horrifying act 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 Oak Park residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this sick and disturbing act is punished to the full extent of the law.”
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call Officer Dan Torres at (916) 808-5855.
A study conducted by the Massachusetts SPCA and Northeastern University showed that people who abuse animals are five times more likely 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.
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 animal cruelty crimes more seriously.
After he recovers, Geezie will be available for adoption from Sacramento City Animal Care.
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
Media Coverage
Fox 40 KXTL: Dog Chained by its Genitals – Suspect Sought
KCRA Channel 3: Animal Group: Who Put Leash Clip on Dog’s Penis?
KCRA Channel 3: Owner of Mutilated Dog Talks
CBS 13: Reward Offered for Info on Who Mutilated Dog’s Genitals
News 10: Sacramento dog tortured; reward offered for information
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