D.A. offers reward in puppy abuse case
Two of the puppies’ jaws were broken and partially removed with some sort of tool. The foot of a third one was cut off. All three of the 4-monthold animals were mutilated, tortured and left for dead, discarded in a trash heap in East Oakland.
The horrific cases of animal cruelty prompted Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley to call on the public for help Friday to track down whoever perpetrated the wicked act against the German shepherds that remarkably survived and are on the road to recovery.
“There are cruel people in the world,” O’Malley said, standing next to one of the pups, Chloe, at a news conference at Oakland Animal Services “One of the things we know is when we look at people who engage in more serious crimes that many times what they see is animal abuse.”
As she spoke, O’Malley stood next to three enlarged pictures showing the animals’ graphic injuries. She also announced a $15,000 reward while highlighting her office’s animal abuse task force, which for two years has focused on tracking down and prosecuting crimes against animals.
She underscored a point that concerns law enforcement: People who abuse animals often hurt people.
“It’s hard to imagine who could hurt innocent animals, but we also can’t imagine who would hurt innocent children,” O’Malley said. “That’s why our task force has become so critical to being able to protect those who are abused, whether they are four legged or two legged.”
The three dogs in the case highlighted Friday, O’Malley said, were some of the most troubling animal abuse cases she’s seen.
Two of the puppies, believed to be sisters, were found May 26 in heaps of refuse in the area of 89th Avenue and G Street. The lower jaw of one of them was broken off, and several teeth were smashed out. The other dog’s hind paw was lopped off, O’Malley said.
Two days later, a person found Chloe in the same area. Part of her jaw was also cut out, officials said.
Despite the horrific injury, O’Malley said, Chloe is “a happy beautiful, engaged, socialized little puppy.”
The other dogs have since been treated by veterinarians and are either being adopted or fostered. All are expected to survive despite their injuries.
The major concern now is catching whoever tortured the animals.
Organizations and private citizens, including Pet Food Express, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and a private donor have pooled together a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
“If anyone recognizes a dog, no lead is too small,” said Sgt. Robert Muniz, an investigator with the Oakland Police Department. “Anything will help.”
Anyone with information about the case can call investigators at 510238-3728 or 510-272-6280. People can also leave an anonymous tip at 510-5355602.
Friday’s news conference comes four days before the June 5 primary election in which O’Malley faces a challenge from civil rights attorney Pamela Price.
Asked about whether her media event had anything to do with the election, O’Malley said, “This has absolutely nothing to do with anything other than finding the people who have mutilated and tortured these pets.”