Reward Offered In Napa, Calif., Dog Poisoning Case

November 18, 2008

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­the poisoning of six dogs in Napa, Calif. Four of the dogs died in the attacks and two others needed to be hospitalized. The total reward in this case now stands at $8,500.

The Case:

According to the Napa Valley Register, the incidents occurred on Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, each involving three dogs who ate snail bait that was intentionally thrown into the backyards of their Napa homes. Two of the dogs who died were rescue greyhounds and one of the dogs who survived, Rex, is the K-9 partner of Napa Police Officer Ryan Cole. There is no known motive for the attacks and the residents do not know each other.

"Snail bait is a particularly cruel way to kill an animal," said Paul Bruce, regional program coordinator for the West Coast Regional Office of The Humane Society of the United States. "Whoever is responsible for this malicious act needs to be taken off the streets and held accountable for this horrific act of cruelty."

Animal Cruelty:

Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

"Those who abuse animals can be dangerous to people," added Bruce. "Americans have no tolerance for violence against the creatures who share our world."

The Investigators:

The Napa Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Investigator Mike Walund at 707-257-9264. For more information, you may also contact Wendi Piscia at the Napa Humane Society at 707-255-8118, x202.

Resources:

The HSUS Animal Cruelty Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence 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. To see our journalists' animal cruelty resource guide, which includes information on statistics, trends, laws and animal cruelty categories, go to: humanesociety.org/crueltyresources.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 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.