The HSUS Offers Reward in Ulster County, New York Animal Cruelty Case

The Humane Society of the United States
Thursday, 17 July 2003

The HSUS, jointly with the New York State Humane Association, is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starving and abusing a male dog, chaining him to a tree and leaving him to die in a wooded area off Waterfalls Road in Kerhonkson on July 13, 2003.

According to news reports and sources close to the case, the dog was found late Sunday by James Graham of Kerhonkson, who was walking through a remote, wooded area outside of town to go fishing in a stream. He heard whimpering and found the approximately 10-month-old dog. The chain prevented the dog from lying down or reaching the stream. It was wrapped so tightly around his legs, chest and stomach that it had cut through the skin, exposing the muscles and tendons. Graham cut through the chain with wire clippers to free the dog, after which he took him home and notified Jill Shufeldt, the area dog control officer, who transported the dog to the Kingston Animal Hospital. The dog is being treated by Dr. Arnold Rugg, who expects him to remain at the hospital for a few days and then be released to Shufeldt for adoption through the Town of Rochester animal control facility. Shufeldt has named the dog "Graham Cracker" in honor of the man who found him.

"Anyone capable of abusing this defenseless animal in such a horrible way poses a potential danger to other animals and people in the community," says Samantha Mullen, program coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of The HSUS. "The connection between cruelty to animals and violence against humans 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 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," Mullen said, adding that she hopes this reward will help bring to justice the person or persons responsible for this crime before another animal or possibly a person is victimized.

This case is being vigorously pursued by the New York State Police. Anyone with information about it is asked to contact the New York State Police Barracks in Ellenville at 845-626-2800 or 626-2801.

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 fieldwork. The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. The HSUS Mid-Atlantic Regional Office serves Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

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