The HSUS Offers Reward in the Case of Cattle Shootings Across Four Texas Counties

The Humane Society of the United States
Friday, 25 July 2003

The HSUS is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting and killing of at least 11 cattle in Tarrant, Johnson, Parker and Hood counties in the Fort Worth area on July 20th and 21st.

The cattle were shot with hollow-point bullets from a powerful .44-caliber gun. All of the cattle were in fenced pastures on their owners' ranches, and one victim included a young calf only a few months old. Officials believe that the number of dead cattle could increase, as many of the ranch owners visit their properties only on the weekends.

"Those responsible for these cruel and heinous shootings obviously did not value these cattle nor the people who could have been hurt," says Melissa DeLoach, program coordinator with The HSUS Southwest Regional Office. "Anyone with such disregard for animals as well as public safety is clearly a threat to society. 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 is harmed."

Sheriff's Departments in Tarrant, Johnson, Parker, and Hood counties and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association are working together on this investigation.

In Texas, the penalty for animal cruelty is a Class A Misdemeanor. Psychological counseling may also be ordered for animal cruelty offenders under the age of 18.

The HSUS is offering this reward as part of its First Strike Campaign®, which raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. Through the program, The HSUS provides resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and citizens to learn about the connection and what people can do to combat animal cruelty. The HSUS also offers rewards for animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact their local law enforcement officials, Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477, or H.D. Brittain of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association at 817-599-5088 or 1-800-242-7820.

The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 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 Southwest Regional Office serves Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. For more information on The HSUS First Strike Campaign, visit www.hsus.org/firststrike.

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