Reward Offered In Garvin County, Okla. Cow Shootings

December 4, 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 persons responsible for killing five cows near Elmore City in Garvin County, Okla. The HSUS offer raises the total reward offered to $3,000, including $500 offered by a cow owner.

The Case:

News reports give the following account: Over the past several weeks, five cows have been found shot to death in the area of Elmore City. Four of the cows lived in the same pasture while the fifth cow lived in a pasture nearby. According to Garvin County Deputy Chad Weeks, both pastures were private property where hunting was not allowed. The bodies of raccoons who have been shot and killed have been found near the bodies of all five cows.

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.

"Americans have no tolerance for violence against the creatures who share our world, including wildlife and farm animals. Whoever is responsible for these shootings should be brought to justice and held accountable," said Cynthia Armstrong, The Humane Society of the United States' Oklahoma state director.

The Investigators:

Garvin County Deputy Chad Weeks is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Weeks at (405) 238-7591.

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.