Reward Offered in Kansas City, Mo. Dog Cruelty Case

August 20, 2007

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for severing a dog's leg. The reward will be added to an existing $500 offered by Spay & Neuter Kansas City (SNKC), bringing the total reward amount to $3,000.

The Case:

On August 14, Kansas City Animal Control officers found a young Shepherd-mix dog wandering the streets with a severed leg. A veterinarian determined the injury was likely caused by an intentional attempt to cut off part of the dog's leg. Now named Misty, she is recovering after a successful surgery to amputate the remaining portion of her mutilated leg.

"We are touched by the community's generous offers to adopt Misty," said Michelle Dormady, president of SNKC. "She will be ready for a new home soon. We hope that in Misty's honor, people will visit their local shelters where thousands of animals are waiting for homes of their own. Even though Misty suffered at the hands of an abuser, she is actually more fortunate than so many others."  SNKC provided funding for the surgery and will make Misty available for adoption as soon as she recovers.

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 with information on this case is urged to contact the Kansas City (MO) Animal Health and Public Safety Department Action Center at 816-513-9800.

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.