Tips from the public needed to find whoever tortured and killed a small dog named B.J.
 
A $4,000 reward is being offered to bring to justice whomever tortured and killed B.J. in West Sacramento, California.
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August 16, 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 bound a dog’s legs, tied his muzzle closed and strangled him to death in West Sacramento in late July. Jack Sellers Racing is offering a $500 reward for a tip that results in an arrest and will pay an additional $1,000 if the tip results in a felony animal cruelty conviction, bringing the total potential reward to $4,000.
Yolo County Animal Services responded to a call on Merkley Ave. near Westacre Rd. on Thursday, July 26 and found a small male Chihuahua mix who appeared to have been tortured and killed. The bloodied dog was examined by a veterinarian and found to have a broken neck. The dog’s owner was later identified and reported that the dog, named B.J., had escaped from his fenced yard.
Officers responding to the case called it one of the most extreme cases of animal cruelty they have seen.
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this heinous 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 West Sacramento residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this sick and cruel act is punished to the full extent of the law.”
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office at 530.668.5287.
Callers can remain anonymous.
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.
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The RedRover Readers program aims to prevent animal cruelty before it happens. Sacramento area teachers may attend a free training workshop on October 20. Continuing education credits are available.
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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. In May, RedRover offered a $2,500 reward for information to solve another disturbing animal cruelty case in West Sacramento involving a cat that was set on fire and killed; a 17-year-old boy was later arrested and charged with felony counts of animal cruelty.
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.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi 916.429.2457 ext. 314
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