Reward Offered in Bakersfield, Calif. Cruelty Case

June 15, 2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the mutilation and/or killing of at least five cats in the city of Bakersfield.     

The Case:
According to Bakersfield City Animal Control, at least two incidents of cat mutilation have occurred at the corner of North Sillect and Gilmore streets in the past three months.  In the first, several cats' tails were found at the location and in the most recent incident, a kitten was found which had been cut into pieces and "reassembled" before being left at the location.

Animal Cruelty: 
The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and educates communities about this connection while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.  Visit humanesociety.org/firststrike.

The Investigators:
Bakersfield City Animal Control is investigating this case.  Anyone with information in this case is asked to call them at 661-326-3436 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661- 327-7771.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.

The West Coast Regional Office (WCRO) of The Humane Society of the United States, located in Sacramento, Calif., is on the front lines of animal protection issues throughout five states: California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.