The HSUS Offers Reward for Information in Kansas Animal Cruelty Case

The Humane Society of the United States
Wednesday, 30 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 killing and dumping 10 pit bulls in Wichita, Kansas this month.

Local residents and police officers have stumbled across the dog corpses over the past three weeks in the Grove Park area, located at 27th North and Hillside streets. The dogs' bodies bear telltale signs of dogfighting, including puncture wounds and cuts to the head, neck and front legs, according to reports. A few of the dogs were dumped among the park's high weeds while others were dropped by trashcans or along the curb, according to news reports. Some of them were wrapped in cloth or plastic bags.

"These dogs likely suffered a lifetime of cruelty at the hands of their handlers," said Diane Webber, director of The HSUS Midwest Regional Office in Des Moines. "To be discarded like garbage punctuates the treatment these dogs received when they were alive. Persons involved with animal fighting are likely involved with other criminal activity and could be dangerous to the community. I hope this reward will bring about information to take those responsible for the deaths of these dogs off the streets and placed before a court for justice to be served."

The connection between animal abuse 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 citizens. The HSUS also offers rewards for animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty,

Unlawful conduct of dog fighting in the state of Kansas is considered a severity level 10, non-person felony punishable by a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or a maximum 10 years in jail or both.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact Officer Lamar Wallace or Sgt. Alex Robinson at 316-688-9500.

The HSUS is dedicated to protecting all animals through legislation, education, investigation, litigation, advocacy and fieldwork. The HSUS has programs protecting wildlife, companion animals, farm animals and animals in research. The HSUS is headquartered in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices. The HSUS Midwest Regional Office serves Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. For more information on The HSUS First Strike Campaign, visit The HSUS on the Web at www.hsus.org/firststrike.

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