The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for beating a pony in Lincoln County, Okla.
The Case:
News reports give the following account: On Nov. 20, Patrick Lemmings discovered that his pony's face had been beaten. Patches, a brown and white pony belonging to Lemmings' 3-year-old daughter, sustained massive blunt force trauma to the head. Patches' skull was fractured in three places and she was left blind in one eye.
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," said Cynthia Armstrong, The HSUS' Oklahoma state director. "Americans have no tolerance for violence against the creatures who share our world. Whoever is responsible for this barbaric and cowardly attack on a helpless animal should be brought to justice and held accountable for this despicable act of violence."
The Investigators:
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chad Pavlicek is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Pavlicek at (405) 258-1101.
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.
