The HSUS Offers Reward for Information in Puppy Killings at Arkansas Animal Shelter

The Humane Society of the United States
Friday, 1 August 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 killings of two puppies at the Humane Society of the Ouachitas in Mena, Arkansas in July. The local humane society in Mena is not affiliated with The HSUS.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, humane society employees entered the building and heard the distressed cries of a puppy, according to reports. The four-day old puppy was found in the drainpipe of a septic tank. It took four hours and the efforts of many volunteers to remove the puppy from the pipe. However, the puppy died of methane poisoning 24 hours after his rescue. Only a few days later, a one-week old puppy was found crushed to death lying near his mother in their shared cage.

"Such deliberate, cruel acts against defenseless puppies are sickening," said Melissa DeLoach, program coordinator with The HSUS Southwest Regional Office. "The person responsible for these disturbing crimes needs to be swiftly apprehended. We hope that our reward will help investigators solve this case. Persons who commit acts of animal cruelty often turn their violence on to humans as well. We encourage anyone with information about this case to contact the authorities."

The $2,500 reward offered by The HSUS is in addition to an already established reward, which brings the total to $7,850 to date.

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. 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.

The Polk County Sheriff's Department is investigating this case and has increased police patrolling of the Humane Society premises. In Arkansas, the penalty for animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor. Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact Sheriff Mike Oglesby with the Polk County Sheriff's Department at 479-394-2511.

The HSUS is the world's foremost authority on animal sheltering. While there is no umbrella group that oversees animal shelters, the HSUS provides assistance and direct support to animal shelters nationwide. The HSUS sets national standards and guidelines that are adhered to by many shelters. For more information on animal sheltering issues and The HSUS' services, visit www.animalsheltering.org.

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