OH: Reward of $1K offered for killer of pit bull

CHILLICOTHE — A dog found near a wildlife area did not freeze to death, but was shot and killed, and a pair of pet rescue groups are offering a reward to find the person responsible.

The Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, along with Pound Bound and Found, a Ross County dog rescue group, is offering a total reward of $1,000.

The Ohio SPCA said it took the body of the black and white pit bull — now named “Jane” — to Columbus for testing and found it died from a bullet wound that penetrated its lungs and heart. The necropsy also indicated blunt force trauma to the abdomen.

“We are of the opinion that Jane was physically abused prior to being shot and killed,” said Teresa Landon, executive director of Ohio SPCA, which is contributing $500 to the reward.

Landon also said her organization believes the dog — just six to nine months old — was alive and inside a cage when taken to the wildlife area, where someone shot the dog and left it to thrash about. The dog, she believes, broke out of the cage, but only made it a few feet before dying.

The cage, she said, was also tainted with garbage and feces.

“We all want the person who abused and killed this pit bull pup to be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Instead of contacting a shelter or rescue for help, this person chose to abuse and kill Jane,” Landon said.

The incident drew attention when a local resident discovered the dog and a cage and posted photos on Facebook. The Gazette has decided not to publish the photos — which clearly show the dead dog laying in inches-deep snow just outside the cage — because of their graphic nature.

Feb. 25, 2014
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20140224/NEWS01/302240010/Reward-1K-offered-killer-dog?nclick_check=1