WHO LEFT A DOG TO DIE? Reward offered to find person who threw dog from car in West Seattle

The Seattle Animal Shelter just sent this alert, seeking help in finding the person who threw an ailing dog out of a car in West Seattle near Fairmount Park Elementary School last month:

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons who failed to provide veterinary care for a dog then abandoned him in West Seattle. The dog was in clear medical distress and was suffering when someone tossed him from a stopped vehicle.

On Sunday, Sept. 24, a witness observed the dog being tossed from a purple Dodge minivan by someone described as a heavyset African-American man with dreadlocks. This incident occurred in the 5600 block of 38th Avenue SW [map]. A Seattle Animal Shelter officer responded and transported the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive. Abandoning an animal and failing to provide medical care necessary for an animal’s health or to alleviate its pain are crimes, said Seattle Animal Shelter Executive Director Ann Graves.

“This is a very disturbing case of callousness and an act of animal cruelty,” Graves said.

If you recognize the dog or the description of the van or know who is responsible for abandoning this dog, please call Seattle Animal Shelter’s acting manager of field services, Don Baxter, at 206-386-4288 and reference case number C04542592. Any information about the person who did this is vital to solving this case, Graves said.

“Abandoning an animal that is suffering and in desperate need of medical attention is unconscionable and a clear violation of our state’s animal cruelty statutes,” said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful the Seattle Animal Shelter was able to respond quickly and hopeful that this reward brings forward anyone with information about this heinous act of cruelty.”

First degree animal cruelty is a Class C felony punishable by five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

The Seattle Animal Shelter enforces both SMC 9.25.081 and RCW 16.52.205, which make it illegal to abuse or neglect an animal. If you feel that an animal is being neglected or abused, please contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at 206-386-PETS (7387).

The dog was gray and white, male, and, in the only photo provided by SAS, appears to be dying or already dead, so be forewarned if you decide to click.

ADDED 4:31 PM: Full description of the dog, as an alternative to viewing the photo, from SAS: “Adult (estimated age 4-6 years), unneutered male, American Pitbull Terrier, gray/blue in color with white on the neck/chest, feet, and a blaze marking up the muzzle.”

40 Replies to "WHO LEFT A DOG TO DIE? Reward offered to find person who threw dog from car in West Seattle"

  • Susan Anda October 10, 2017 (3:08 pm)

    The poor woman walking her dog who witnessed this horrific act was traumatized. She first posted on Neighborhood News (the day it happened), glad she reached out to the WS Blog too. C’mon people, how hard is it to find a PURPLE DODGE CARAVAN?

     

    • Versace October 20, 2017 (3:18 pm)

      Im pretty sure this is my dog….

  • Eni October 10, 2017 (3:30 pm)

    I’m not allowed to say on the WSB what I would like to happen to the person who did this, but it goes beyond fines and jail time.

  • WSgal October 10, 2017 (3:31 pm)

    Oh this is so horrible. What an awful person. There are so many rescue centers or shelters that could have taken this poor creature in. So sad, I’m sorry to hear this happened – I hope someone can help solve the identity of this person. (Please note that the link for the photo goes to a map, not a photo)

  • T Rex October 10, 2017 (3:41 pm)

    This brought tears to my eyes. This low life poor excuse of a human deserves to have the same thing happen to him. And I would feel not one ounce of guilt in doing so. 

    Animals are blessings in our lives. What a horrible horrible thing to do to an innocence creature. Sure hope this SOB doesn’t have children. 

  • john October 10, 2017 (3:48 pm)

    How cruel and disgusting… 

  • Stephanie October 10, 2017 (4:06 pm)

    I click on the link for the photo of the dog but it takes me to a map. Poor baby. Hope they find the asshat. 

  • Ciara October 10, 2017 (4:11 pm)

    The link you attached with photo that went to map..  could you send the photo again?

    I never heard or seen purple minivan!!  I will look out and will report with license plate. I’m thinking it might be maroon?  

  • wsgt October 10, 2017 (4:12 pm)

    Looks like this happened kind of near Fairmount Park Elementary and the nearby park.  Can flyers be posted at these locations–probably easiest by the parent of a student?  I bet someone may have seen this guy and his car…

  • Brenda October 10, 2017 (4:20 pm)

    Unacceptable – period. 

  • WSB October 10, 2017 (4:29 pm)

    I apologize for the bad link to the photo – was in a rush to leave for a meeting when this came in – did not doublecheck. It’s now replaced.I also had asked SAS for a description of the dog (I am not good at guessing breeds) so that I could include that for those who did not want to look at the photo, and I am adding that too. – Tracy

  • flimflam October 10, 2017 (4:34 pm)

    seriously low down dirty move by the guilty party. total trash.

  • waikikigirl October 10, 2017 (4:48 pm)

    This just makes me sick…how could anyone do this or just leave that dog to suffer like that?!

    And as T REX states, pets are blessings/gifts to us humans, they don’t ask to be brought into your home you made the decision so it is your responsibility to care for this animal and treat it as you would want to be treated.  

  • Josh October 10, 2017 (4:49 pm)

    Yikes. I saw the photo and wish I didn’t. This is horrible.

    Please neighbors, we all need to watch for that purple minivan. So sad. 

  • Thirdgeneration October 10, 2017 (4:50 pm)

    My husband and I were the 3rd and 4th on the scene. We stayed with the dog til he got picked up. The SPD that arrived on the scene were fantastic.   They too stayed with us and the dog til he was picked up by animal control. I got a bath towel for the dog for warmth from shock and whatever it was dealing with, poor thing. I’ve thought about the dog everyday since. RIP sweet pup and may the person who dropped you off rot in hell!

    • DH October 10, 2017 (6:06 pm)

      @Thirdgeneration, thank you for your compassion and empathy. It is something that so many of us shut down due to our continued exposure to tragedy and suffering. I have considerable anger towards the person that did this and I still try to consider what would lead a person to do this sort of thing. It’s all so sad and enraging at the same time. 

  • EH October 10, 2017 (5:02 pm)

    I assume no license plate was caught for the minivan? I will keep my eye out for a purple minivan in the neighborhood since I live near the school. This is just horrific, literally tears in my eyes. I hope this scumbag is caught, absolutely inhumane.

  • Soon to be Alki on Alki October 10, 2017 (5:09 pm)

    I’m sorry, I loved WS when I moved here, but I’m really having trouble rationalizing what the hell is going on here lately.  “Crisis with Knives”.  “ATM Takes a Walk”.  “Toss the Dog”.  Seriously, what is going on here????  What am I missing about living in a normalized society??

    • WSB October 10, 2017 (5:36 pm)

      Sorry, some days the news is mostly bad, and some days it’s boring or at least quiet (fundraisers, volunteer work parties, etc.). And I have one more bad-news item up next, no choice once we know something has happened but to let people know about it … TR

  • Eni October 10, 2017 (5:11 pm)

    Are there details of the medical condition of the dog?  Specifically, did it appear that he’d suffered injuries from dog fighting or other injuries, or was it some type of illness?

    If the dog was being used for fighting or bait I would hope that the police would look into it, hopefully resulting in more criminal charges for this pathetic, low-life coward.

  • NDL October 10, 2017 (5:22 pm)

    All – I’m fairly certain this is related to the dog I found on the same day a few blocks away (see my post on the lost pet WSB site and perhaps WSB can repost it?). Despite us making it SO easy for the dog’s owner to reunite with her, we haven’t received a single call and I’m starting to understand why. I called the Animal Shelter contact and shared the story of the sweet girl we found.  Rest assured that she is safe and we’re working to find her a happy home. If any of you are interested in adopting a SUPER sweet dog who likes other dogs, little kids, is house trained, can sit and stay and give lots of kisses, please contact me. 206-519-2600 She’s a little timid at first (for obvious reasons knowing this story), but she’s a true sweetheart if given the chance.

    • WSB October 10, 2017 (5:45 pm)

      NDL is referring to this post:
      https://westseattleblog.com/pet/found-dog-taken-to-shelter-2/

      • Heather October 10, 2017 (6:53 pm)

        This looks like a dog that I found between 45/46 on Findlay sometime back.  She was timid but very sweet.  She lived in the second house on west side of 45th heading south from Findlay to Juneau.  

        • NDL October 10, 2017 (7:10 pm)

          Thanks for the tip!  I’ll print off some more flyers and put in mailboxes near there.  A bit strange that they haven’t contacted the shelters, but hopefully this ends with good news.  Thanks again!

  • Wsrez October 10, 2017 (5:41 pm)

    I’ll never understand this mentality.

  • Alki Resident October 10, 2017 (5:48 pm)

    Can someone confirm the van was purple and not maroon please?

    Clearly this dog suffered before it died. It’s very important we find who did this. I’m so sad right now. 

    • WSB October 10, 2017 (5:58 pm)

      I don’t know why the lone commenter below wondering about maroon mentioned that. What is in the story is the Seattle Animal Shelter news release, as introduced, cut and pasted, so purple is the OFFICIAL description. – TR

  • T October 10, 2017 (6:10 pm)

    Thank you so much to those that were able to stop and help. Thank you for sending this to WSB. Thank you to all of my terrific neighbors that care about each other and our families that include humans and our pets.

  • Elle Nell October 10, 2017 (7:10 pm)

    Rest In Peace- sweet baby dog….❤️

    what a sad sick individual … I believe in Karma and I’m sure this sad SOB will get what he deserves.

  • The King October 10, 2017 (7:30 pm)

    Wish I knew who this was, no reward necessary. 

  • Gwen October 10, 2017 (7:45 pm)

    Awful. Being an animal lover, I hear of these stories happening all of the country but here?! I really hoped we didn’t have this stuff going on and these type of people living among us. I’m so heartbroken for this poor dog and the suffering it had to endure because of a heartless human. I hope he is caught and pays big time for his crime.

  • J October 11, 2017 (12:34 am)

    I too was there, walking my dog, right after the incident. I did not see the van but spoke with the woman who witnessed it. I also talked with the neighbors who brought the dog a towel. Felt so helpless. I stood near until authorities arrived. The police showed up first and asked a few questions while awaiting the Animal Shelter officer. At that point my wife brought the car and picked my dog and me up. It was very hard to leave the scene but since the officers were present and I was not a witness to the van there wasn’t much I could offer, I also didn’t want my dog to upset the injured dog in any way. That night I checked the WSB and found the post from NDL (regarding the found brindle pit bull around the same time and area) and reached out to suggest the two incidents might be linked.

    I have been wondering if the dog survived, very sad to read this news tonight. 

  • ACG October 11, 2017 (9:22 am)

    Just saw a purple dodge caravan parked at the corner of 39th and Oregon. No idea if related or not, but there aren’t many purple ones out there, I think. I called a and left a VM for Don Baxter at the number provided for SAS in this article- but am I supposed to call 911 or anything else??  No idea if this is the van involved, but matched the description. 

  • Kelley October 11, 2017 (9:59 am)

    Do any neighbors have video cameras, where this dog was dumped? What a selfish human being! 

  • animal lover October 11, 2017 (10:23 am)

     UGH!!   Absolutely sickening!!!  I really hope this POS is found ASAP, and I PRAY he has no other animals in his possession that he can harm.

    RIP sweet baby boy.  :( 

  • ScubaFrog October 11, 2017 (11:09 am)

    I so hope this fat/muscle-bound, dreadlocked man is local and caught, with his name published.

    The poor critter-victim was probably a bait dog.  God knows how many more he’s tortured/maimed/killed.  

    And let me go on record with this:  The Pitbulls I’ve had in my life have been the most loyal, loving,  intelligent creatures I’ve ever had.  The bad rap comes from nurture, not nature.  Filth like the suspect could turn any dog (or person) into a monster, I’d wager.

  • Elaine October 11, 2017 (11:40 am)

    Was it a pitbull?

    Any chance this was a poor victim of dog fighting?

    • WSB October 11, 2017 (12:08 pm)

      See the last paragraph, for the description that Seattle Animal Shelter provided when I asked on behalf of those who would want that information without looking at the photo.

  • dee kalani October 11, 2017 (12:17 pm)

    We will call 911 and follow any  purple mini van we come across, hopefully this pos will be prosecuted !!!! We need to get this pathetic a hole and find out if there is in fact dogfighting going on and abolish cruelty once and for all .

  • dee kalani October 12, 2017 (10:41 am)

    Please provide updates  hopefully this guy will be in jail for the next 5 years and a message that animal cruelty will not be tolorated will be sent.

     

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