SEATTLE —The HSUS is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the poisoning of four dogs in the Boise Bench area of Boise, Idaho.
The offer is in addition to an existing $200 reward offered by the Idaho Humane Society, up to $1,000 offered by Crime Stoppers, and $2,000 offered by concerned individuals.
The Case:
According to news accounts the dogs died from ingestion of strychnine poisoning on or about January 17. "Poisoning by strychnine is a horrendous way to die," said Dr. Jeffrey Rosenthal DVM and director of the Idaho Humane Society, Boise. "A dog will experience intense convulsions and severe pain leading eventually to respiratory paralysis and/ organ failure."
This case comes at a time when Idaho lawmakers will be considering strengthening the state's animal cruelty law. The HSUS applauds Idaho Representative Tom Train for his efforts to introduce state legislation that will make egregious acts of animal cruelty a felony offense and would require additional restrictions on the sale and use of strychnine. Idaho currently is one of just a handful of states with mere misdemeanor penalties for egregious act of cruelty and lags behind most states in its approach to animal fighting laws as well.
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 www.hsus.org/firststrike.
The Investigators:
The Boise Police Department is investigating this case. Officers are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 208-343-COPS .
The HSUS:
For more information contact Robert Reder, director of The HSUS Pacific Northwest Regional Office, at 425-656-9797, pnro@hsus.org or Karen L. Allanach, HSUS public relations, at 301-548-7778, kallanach@hsus.org.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than eight million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
The HSUS Pacific Northwest Regional Office located in Seattle, serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
