Reward Offered In Brewton, Ala. Animal Cruelty Case

September 26, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — 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 shooting a dog and abandoning the animal in a dumpster in Brewton, Ala.

The Case:
On Sept. 22, employees at the Dollar General Store in Brewton found a conscious but severely injured dog wrapped in a blanket in the dumpster behind the store. A Humane Society of Escambia County cruelty investigator was called to the scene. The brown and white female mixed-breed dog, later named DeeDee by Humane Society staff, appeared to have been shot. Although DeeDee was initially alert and friendly, x-rays revealed she had three bullets lodged in her front leg and neck. She also suffered extensive injury to her hips and spine, and her internal organs damaged as well. DeeDee was so seriously hurt that she had to be euthanized the next day.

Cruelty to a dog or cat is punishable as a Class C felony in Alabama, and the person or persons responsible for Dee Dee’s injuries could face up to 10 years in prison.

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:
The Humane Society of Escambia County in Brewton at 251-867-6860.

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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 HSUS Southeast Regional Office serves Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.