Reward offered to find animal abuser responsible for dog’s death

Animal advocates are trying to find out who’s responsible for abusing a starved dog that did not survive. The Seattle Animal Shelter sent this release:

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this atrocious act of negligence.

On Saturday, May 12, an emaciated dog was found in the 9400 block of 26th Avenue Southwest. The badly emaciated dog was immediately rushed to a veterinary clinic but did not survive.

Details of where the dog had been for the last 30 days are unknown. If you recognize the dog and have seen him or know where he has been over the past several weeks please call Seattle Animal Shelter Enforcement Supervisor Ann Graves at (206)386-4288. The case number is 5319. Any information about the dog’s whereabouts is vital to helping determine the circumstances around the dog’s condition.

“To intentionally starve an animal that relies solely on you for its care is a truly heinous act,” said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “Americans have no tolerance for this type of abuse against the creatures who share our world.”

Animal cruelty is a Class C felony punishable by 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is available for field operations seven days per week, 9:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The phone number is (206) 386-PETS (7387).

A photo of the dog, while it was receiving veterinary care, can be seen here.

40 Replies to "Reward offered to find animal abuser responsible for dog's death"

  • Ripper May 18, 2012 (2:53 pm)

    Humans are often worse than dogs :(

  • Amanda May 18, 2012 (3:10 pm)

    Oh that is too sad. I live right near there and haven’t seen that poor thing before. I hope they can find out who the owner is.

  • Westie May 18, 2012 (3:14 pm)

    I think there needs to be some education in the White Center neighborhood about how to go about getting help. I know it’s seems like common sense to me, but some people are from other countries where animals are not held in such high regard. I don’t want to let anybody off the hook, but I would like to had out brochures in English and maybe a few other languages that tell people where to get help (not that it’s always available) and maybe a few animal laws and references to some non-profit rescue groups that might be so kind as to participate. I would spend a whole afternoon handing out these flyers. I saw a dog in real bad shape in WC and after calling several animal shelters and vets and not being brave enough to grab him and take him myself to a vet I just had to hope the animal truck found him.

  • Alki Resident May 18, 2012 (3:15 pm)

    I wonder if something happened to the owner medically and the dog was left unattended. Any word on the breed he is?

  • Kate May 18, 2012 (3:18 pm)

    Horrible. The quote from Dan Paul is a good one and I hope that he is right in claiming that Americans have no tolerance for this kind of abuse. I am glad, at least, that in being treated by vets, this dog’s last moments of life were defined by care, rather than disdain.

  • Kim May 18, 2012 (3:19 pm)

    Despicable.

  • datamuse May 18, 2012 (3:22 pm)

    That’s horrible. :(

  • Paul on Capitol Hill May 18, 2012 (3:27 pm)

    This breaks my heart. Rest in peace, poor baby.

  • DTK May 18, 2012 (3:31 pm)

    Just when I was about to give humans another try…

  • Aman May 18, 2012 (3:36 pm)

    BAD Human, BAD, BAD, HUMAN…

  • Jim May 18, 2012 (3:43 pm)

    How did they come to the conclusion that this was an act of intentional negligence (the details are admittedly unknown)? An emaciated dog is found and the only conclusion is that a heinous, criminal act has been committed? I’d like to learn more before we all get misanthropic.

  • Laurie May 18, 2012 (3:52 pm)

    Poor sweetie. I wish I hadn’t looked at the picture.

  • Derek May 18, 2012 (3:55 pm)

    What do you think happened, Jim?

  • Wet May 18, 2012 (4:04 pm)

    This looks like a dog of friends that moved to NY. I am sure it is not their dog but can’t help but wonder if maybe the dog got loose and has been lost. It could be totally unintentional.

  • DCo May 18, 2012 (4:07 pm)

    This breaks my heart.

  • westcoastdeb May 18, 2012 (4:12 pm)

    I’m hoping this wasn’t intentional. I hate to see any animal suffer, and moreso hate to see it suffer on purpose.

    RIP Pup.

  • Cstar May 18, 2012 (4:25 pm)

    How tragic for this poor animal! I was thinking the same thing, Jim. Perhaps there is something not included in this story that led the Humane Society folks to conclude this is a of animal case if cruelty / neglect? From what I read though I don’t see how that can be the conclusive interpretation. Perhaps the owner fell ill or the dog ran away? I imagine they have determined he / she wasn’t a stray but I can’t help but wonder if there is more to the story… Either way what a sad conclusion. RIP pup.

    • WSB May 18, 2012 (4:40 pm)

      Not having heard about this till the news release, what you see here is everything that was announced … but I will be following up. – TR

  • required May 18, 2012 (4:32 pm)

    This very sad, but is the only possibility that someone intentionally did this? Is it possible that it was born feral or perhaps ran away and was too afraid to approach people for food.

  • Cait May 18, 2012 (4:37 pm)

    That was the first thing I thought of too, that maybe it wasn’t intentional and the dog was a stray or a runaway that couldn’t find its way home. Withholding any judgement until we hear more.

  • onceachef May 18, 2012 (4:56 pm)

    Makes me sick to see and hear this…wouldn’t a dog, feral, runaway or otherwise seek food at some point?…fear (of humans) is one thing but their survival instincts are strong. I have to think that if the Humane Society is putting out a reward, then they are supporting the idea that it was intentional neglect. Humans have been known to intentionally starve their own children so a dog wouldn’t mean much to them if they are of that mindset…I’m not an “eye for an eye” type but if it is proven that it was intentional, I hope the human involved is punished appropriately…starve them and see how it feels.

  • Louise May 18, 2012 (6:45 pm)

    We should post signs up around where he was found so that this reaches possible neighbors.

  • S May 18, 2012 (6:50 pm)

    All I can think of is how this sweet innocent dog suffered, intentional or not. And we were having such warm weather last weekend. Many thanks to the wonderful person(s) that rushed this dog to the vet. With the Humane Society already involved, already offering an reward – I feel there are more details not shared. I’m with you, onceachef.

  • Me May 18, 2012 (7:02 pm)

    Even if the dog ran away, the owner still has a responsibility! I know people are sensitive to the dog= child comparison so I won’t go there, but this is a living creature. If you own an animal you have an obligation to care for it. That includes making sure it can’t escape your yard. If it does, the owner should take steps to locate it (lost pet signs, online notices, inquire at shelters etc). Look at how many people post on WSB when their pets go missing! This is still neglect, and it is still disgusting.

    • WSB May 18, 2012 (7:32 pm)

      For the person who asked about the breed – Teri from Furry Faces Foundation was corresponding with someone on the case and was told the dog was a “a hound/border collie mix.”

  • Ca May 18, 2012 (7:45 pm)

    This is sickening, I live in area never saw this sweet thing. Otherwise I would of grabbed him! :( I hope they figure out more

  • Julie W. May 18, 2012 (7:56 pm)

    Dogs who are strays scrounge for food..in garbage cans, from handouts,or wherever they can find it. They may be malnourished and skinny, but they are not so starved they must be put down. It is very difficult for a dog to get to that point in terms of emaciation. This was intentional, and that is why the veteranarians and Humane Society called it so and why the HSUS is offering a reward for who intentionally withheld food from this dog. It is heartbreaking.

  • MaggiesMom May 18, 2012 (9:04 pm)

    I am sickened by this situation! That poor dog. Whoever is responsible, I hope you pay horribly for what you did. YOU cannot tell me that nobody else around there noticed something going on. If you knew about this and did nothing to help this poor beast, you are as responsible!! Shame on YOU!!

  • Mike May 18, 2012 (9:17 pm)

    If this is a case where somebody intentionally starved this dog, that person(s) need to be thrown in jail and fined. They are scum if that’s the case.
    .
    However, there’s been many times I read things on here and people are quick to bring out the pitchforks and torches, ready to march down and attack somebody that ‘might’ have done something. For all we know, there could be a dead human in a house where this dog was being kept. Food for thought people.
    .
    Facts, we need hard facts, then we can get all jumpy and pissy.

  • truth May 18, 2012 (9:44 pm)

    This is terrible and horrible, but I couldn’t help notice the set of clippers and the syringes lying next to the dog in the photo…did he die from starvation or was he “put down”???? I would think a dog might be able to be nursed back to health, but hey, I’m only a nurse…

  • trill May 18, 2012 (10:46 pm)

    Westie, I think it’s unfair to be quick to point fingers at the immigrant community. A blanket generalization such as that can be interpreted as prejudiced. Additionally accusing White Center as an area that lacks competency in animal rights and care can also be construed as a prejudiced statement. English speaking citizens of the United States many times are perpetrators of animal neglect too and can live in any neighborhood. I just want folks to know that this sort of thing isn’t necessarily a product of being from another country, being a person of color, or not having English as your first language.

  • RenaissanceRed May 19, 2012 (9:25 am)

    I saw the pic of this poor puppy on FB. My heart sank when I read that it had passed away.

    Pets are dependent on humans for their care IF this was a case of intentionally starving an animal that person needs to face consequences. Animals are not throwaway items. Please if you can’t afford to take care of your pet, find someone or some organization that can.

    If this dog had run away or was feral, I would think he/she would have found means to feed itself. But I guess we’ll never know what the backstory really is. My only hope is that this doesn’t happen again.

  • westseattledood May 19, 2012 (9:26 am)

    Trill – thanks for speaking up with truth.
    Westie (and anyone else similarly stuck with such damaging assumptions) – take heed of Trill’s words.

  • WTF May 19, 2012 (11:04 am)

    @Westie. WTF?

  • KD May 19, 2012 (12:38 pm)

    To WTF,WSdood,RenRed,Trill & all others JUMPING on Westie’s comment: OH MY GOSH!! get off your ‘political correctness’ and re-read Westie’s post. I had to go back and read it after reading yours to see why the mean reaction. Maybe pointing out White Center was your sore point, but in animal rescue and in my occupation, the neglect is everywhere, neighborhood or not, nationality, culture or not. YES, some hoods are more concentrated with the attitudes toward the animals, I just had a sad experinence this week with a business person I know that the wife has probably been abusive to the dog all it’s 13 yrs. of life, and they are from another country. The point IS; Westie was giving out very helpful suggestions of flyers and educating and so on. Does that NOT help a future animal’s suffering by helping turn around a cultural OR homegrown attitude? If leaflets, flyers, classes, etc. can affect one or ten or 1,000 folks who would otherwise abuse,(whether intentional or not) isn’t THAT more important than chastising someone with a good, benevolent idea? How about some organizing some flyer-leaflet distribution in coffee shops, community centers, schools(keep future generations of informed animal ‘caretakers’)? Help assist Westie and anyone else. The outcome of the idea is far more virtuous for the animals AND the folks you are ‘PCing’. Geez, if it helps one animals suffering instead of your griping. Now go get busy!!!

  • My dog poops May 19, 2012 (3:59 pm)

    To the comment about educational pamphlets – perhaps you could ask local agencies such as Seattle Animal Shelter to print these up and make a pdf accessible and printable for all of the public to access. Seattle AC could start delivering them to every neglect call that they receive as well. I don’t agree with “other countries/culture” treatments being an excuse. When you are in WA or any other U.S. state you are responsible to hear by the laws. Accountability is everything if you live in the U.S. know and abide by the laws. Surely, if this is neglect the party will do it again. Education is key,I agree. The Laws to protect the animals need to be enforced along with steeper penalties are in order as well. I am an animal rescuer and it’s very frustrating at times because the laws are not in favor or strong enough for the animals that depend on us to protect them.Here’s a good link… http://agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/animalhealth/LawsRules.aspx I am so sad for this dog. I truly hope justice prevails and you are frolicking with other furry friends up above. You were let down by humans but you are free now!

  • KD May 19, 2012 (5:24 pm)

    ‘My Dog Poops’.., thankyou, well said. Thx for the extra information. My frustration was one commenter being attacked for standing up for the animals and you were also helpful that pointing out the law is the law, no matter your background. Remember people.., the pain and misery the dog went through was far worse than any political correctness fear. Who would you rather stand up for? The animals never hurt any one, humans cause grief and pain. WSB must have put the story out for a valid reason.

    • WSB May 19, 2012 (6:45 pm)

      KD – re: “valid reason” – I am going to find somebody to ask more pointed questions to on Monday – this arrived late Friday – but the city sent it (you can also see it on their “The Scoop” blog-format website) and someone else who called it to my attention today (not having seen that we already published it) said her understanding is that they do have “information” leading them to believe this wasn’t just a wandering unfed dog. I haven’t seen an alert like this in a LONG time and I do know that there is usually much deliberation before deciding to send out something this serious and official – TR

  • My Dog Also Poops May 20, 2012 (10:51 pm)

    Well said, My Dog Poops. It is the law, and everyone here should be held to the same standards, just as we would be expected to in other countries. I find it frustrating that we often cater to those who break laws with this type of reasoning.

    You sweet pup. Rest in peace.

  • Westie May 22, 2012 (11:29 am)

    I apologize for making assumptions that it might be a particular type of person that may need educating about domesticated animals. That was not the intention of my post. The intention was to point out that I have witnessed many roaming animals in need in the WC neighborhood and regardless of who needs educating I do believe some flyers could be handed out educating the community about where to get help and maybe a few animal laws and references to some non-profit rescue groups that might be so kind as to participate. I grew up in this neighborhood and I just want to help. Thank you KD.

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