UAN offers $1,500 for information leading to arrest and conviction in Harvey County animal cruelty case
Sacramento, CA (August 29, 2005) – United Animal Nations, North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a leading advocate for the critical needs of animals, today added $1,500 to a reward fund for anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who burned a four-month-old puppy with liquid grease at Harvey County’s East Lake.
The Labrador retriever mix puppy, named Happy, was found on August 9 and taken to the Caring Hands Humane Society. Executive Director Kevin Stubbs said that someone deliberately poured the liquid – possibly campfire grease – in a line from Happy’s head down his back. Happy is expected to make a full recovery and has been adopted by a new family. Caring Hands Humane Society has already posted a $1,000 reward for information in the case, bringing the total reward fund to $2,500.
The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call (316) 284-6960.
UAN president Jennifer Fearing said UAN issues its reward to raise awareness of the need for harsher punishments for animal cruelty crimes. “Our society can no longer dismiss such horrible and hateful crimes against innocent animals,” Fearing said. “Research has shown time and time again that people who abuse and kill animals are highly likely to become violent toward humans.”
Animal cruelty is currently considered a misdemeanor in Kansas, but pending legislation would increase the penalty to a felony.
Sacramento, California-based UAN is offering this reward as part of its Zig Zag Memorial Reward program, named for a dog who was burned, beaten and tortured for hours before mercifully dying. The reward is offered in the hopes that it will break the wall of silence and encourage people to step forward with information.
###
