March 2, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION (MEDIA ONLY)
Ilka Daniel, Director of Animal Protective Services, HSVB & IRC (772) 473-6889
Pepper Ballard, Public Relations, HSUS (240) 751-0232
CUTLINES APPEAR BELOW RELEASE
Rewards offered for information in dog starvation case
Vero Beach, Florida – The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian
River County (HSVB & IRC) and The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) are hoping that a reward will generate new leads in locating
the persons responsible for starving two dogs found wandering in south
Indian River County last fall. After learning that the case is still
open, several anonymous HSVB & IRC donors recently contributed $1,000
to help solve the crime while The HSUS offered up to $2,500. Both
rewards will be given for information leading to the identification,
arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.
"We believe these generous donations will breathe new life into the
case and may provide the incentive needed for people to step forward
with information," HSVB & IRC Director of Animal Protective Services
Ilka Daniel said. "We hope this reward will bring us new leads and
help us find and bring the perpetrators to justice," she added.
According to Daniel, The HSVB & IRC has been working with Vero Beach
Animal Control Officer Bruce Dangerfield and the Indian River
Sheriff's Office to solve this case. "We want our community to know
that no unsolved animal cruelty case is ever closed," she added.
The dogs, a female hound mix and a male Catahoula leopard dog mix,
were rescued by Dangerfield last September after he responded to a
call from a Vero Beach Good Samaritans Kristen and Kurt Runge who
found the dogs running in South Indian River County. Nicknamed "Lady"
and "Tramp," by Dangerfield, both dogs were brought to the Humane
Society in poor condition.
Daniel and Dangerfield suspect the dogs were confined on someone's
property. "Stray dogs can usually find some food to eat and their
nails are worn down from being outside. Intentional confinement may be
the reason why so few leads have come in," Dangerfield said. "These
dogs were two years old, so someone, at some point in time, must have
had encountered these two dogs," he added.
Although Lady was unable to recover from her condition and had to be
euthanized, Tramp steadily improved and was adopted in January. "Let's
find the person or persons responsible for this," HSUS Florida State
Director Jennifer Hobgood said. If you have information about this
case, please call The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River
County at (772) 388-3331 ext. 28.
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CUTLINES:
(Titled "Maria and 2 dogs") Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian
River County staff member Maria Valencia is shown caring for two dogs
last September found starving and wandering in South Indian River
County. Rewards have been posted to find the persons responsible with
hopes that a financial incentive will encourage members of the public
to step forward. (Photo dated September 2, 2010)
(Titled "Ilka Daniel feeding male dog") Humane Society of Vero Beach
and Indian River County Director of Animal Protective Services Ilka
Daniel feeds "Tramp," last September after he and another dog
nicknamed "Lady" were found wandering in Indian River County. (Photo
dated September 2, 2010)
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HSVB & IRC
Friday, March 4th
Noon-1:00 p.m.
"Talk to the Paw!"
Understanding Canine Body Language
Speaker: Connie Ellis
HSVB & IRC Pet Behavior Coordinator
FREE ADMISSION
Dogs often communicate with us using their body language. Learn what
your dog may be trying to tell you when Humane Society of Vero Beach
and Indian River County Pet Behavior Coordinator Connie Ellis
demonstrates how to read a dog's body language from head to toe. This
talk is free but space is limited. Please call (772) 388-3331 ext. 18
to reserve seating.
