Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Humane Society of the United States 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 the recent killings of three dogs in McPherson County, Kan.

The HSUS reward is in addition to a $2,300 reward offered by Amy Rausch, whose two dogs were among those killed, and a Crime Stoppers cash reward offered by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office.

The Case: News reports give the following account: Within the past two months, three central Kansas dogs have been found dead after they went missing from their homes. In late April, two Labrador retrievers, Baby and Taylor, disappeared from their home near McPherson. Two days later, Baby and Taylor were both found dead from apparent gunshot wounds to their necks. At about the same time, a German shepherd went missing from his home near McPherson. Nearly three days later, the German shepherd was found lying dead in his driveway from an apparent gunshot wound. It is believed that the person(s) responsible for shooting the three dogs held them for a few days before killing them.

Animal Cruelty: Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

“We want to see accountability for anyone who would so cruelly shoot these family pets. Anyone capable of harming these animals is certainly capable of hurting people,” said Ann Chynoweth, senior director of The Humane Society of the United States' Animal Cruelty and Fighting campaign. “Americans have no tolerance for violence against the creatures who share our world.”

The McPherson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the McPherson County Sheriff's Office at 620-245-1225.