HSUS Offers Reward in Minnesota Animal Cruelty Case

The Humane Society of the United States
Wednesday, 16 July 2003

The HSUS is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the beating and burning of an adult raccoon in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, Minn. in the early morning hours of June 20, 2003.

The raccoon was found near the intersection of Hennepin Avenue South and West 27th Street. After the fire was reported by the police, the fire department was summoned to the still burning raccoon to extinguish the flames. Investigators are examining possible evidence found at the scene including a stick that could have been used as a club or torch. A burned T-shirt was also found near-by. Sgt. Sean McKenna, of the Minneapolis Police Department Arson Squad stated, "In five years of investigating arson fires, I've never seen anything quite like this."

Donations from various groups, including up to $1,000 from The International Association of Arson Investigators Minnesota Arson Reward Project have contributed to the reward fund, bringing the total to a maximum of $7,500. "Anyone capable of so viciously torturing defenseless animals poses a potential danger to other animals and people in the community," says Diane Webber, director of The HSUS Midwest Regional Office. "The connection between animal abuse and violence against humans is well documented. I hope this reward will help bring those responsible for this crime to justice before another animal or possibly a person gets hurt."

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 also offers rewards for animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty, to make this a safer world for people and animals alike.

Leaflets asking for the public's help have gone up in the neighborhood and posted inside bus shelters and on surrounding street corners. The Minneapolis Police Department is vigorously pursuing this case and indicates that a suspect in the crime could face charges of animal cruelty as well as arson. The charges for animal cruelty of wildlife and arson are both misdemeanors punishable by not more than 90 days in jail, or a payment of a fine of not more than $700, or both.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact The International Association of Arson Investigators Minnesota Arson Reward Project at 1-800-723-2020.

The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with over seven 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. For nearly 50 years, The HSUS has protected all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. The HSUS Midwest Regional Office serves Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.

For more information, or to contact The Humane Society of the United States, see their website at: www.hsus.org