Reward Offered in Denville, New Jersey, Animal Cruelty Case

June 18, 2007

FLANDERS, N.J. – 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 multiple bite wounds suffered by a dog found in Denville, N.J., which could be the result of dogfighting activities

The Case: 
On June 14, Animal Cruelty Investigator Meredith Petrillo rescued a dog exhibiting multiple bite wounds and running at large on Route 10 Eastbound. Investigator Petrillo described the dog as a very submissive male that appears to be a greyhound/Labrador mixed breed.  The animal has over fifty fresh bite wounds on several parts of his body, particularly on his front and hind legs, face and neck. A veterinarian who treated him at the Animal Hospital of Morris Plains described his injuries, both old and recent, as consistent with wounds sustained in repeated attacks by one or more other dogs over a lengthy period of time. It is strongly suspected that dogfighters used the victim in this case as a "bait" animal deliberately setting their stronger dogs on him in order to test their gameness and to develop their combative skills.

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:
Anyone who may have information about this case is asked to contact Investigator Petrillo, at 973-625-8300, Ext. 265. Callers may remain anonymous.

-30-

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 Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of The HSUS, located in Flanders, New Jersey, serves the animals and people of five states: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia