By Dale Bartlett
When Crystal Brown's four-year-old Australian shepherd mix, Chevy, went missing last month, she put up "missing dog" posters in her neighborhood and went door-to-door looking for him. Crystal, 17, contacted the St. Paul animal shelter and even rode the bus to the shelter several times in an attempt to locate Chevy.
The Associated Press reported that two weeks ago, a gift-wrapped box was left on the doorstep of the house Crystal shares with her grandmother. The box had batteries on top, and a note that said "Congratulations Crystal. This side up. Batteries included." Crystal opened the box and found Chevy's severed head inside. The box also contained Valentine's Day candy.
"She was just hysterical," Crystal's grandmother, Shirley Brown, told AP. "She was screaming. She said, 'Grandma, it's my dog's head!'
Reward Offered, Amount Rising
After conferring with local investigators, The Humane Society of the United States offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed Chevy. The reward amount is rising as animal lovers around the nation rally to the cause of bringing Chevy's killer to justice.
Once found, Chevy's killer should face steep penalties. Minnesota law states that a person found guilty of cruelty to a companion animal who is killed or greatly harmed, when the act is done to threaten, intimidate or terrorize another person, faces imprisonment of up to four years and a fine of up to $10,000—the state's strongest penalty for animal abuse.
The HSUS has established a reward fund through which people can contribute to this and other animal cruelty cases. We will continue to work with local authorities and use every tool at our disposal to bring Chevy's killer to justice.
Animal Lovers Send Condolences
The HSUS has received several calls from animal lovers wishing to send their condolences to Crystal. Chevy won't be forgotten, and the campaign for justice in his case will not be dropped. Crystal has a new puppy—another Australian shepherd named Diesel. "Hopefully," she told reporters, "he'll be my best friend."
What You Can Do
Make a donation to Chevy's reward fund, or send cards or letters to Crystal Brown, c/o The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street N.W., Washington, DC 20037.
Dale Bartlett is deputy manager of animal cruelty issues at The Humane Society of the United States.
