INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County and The Humane Society of the United States 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 Humane Society donors recently contributed $1,000 to help solve the crime while The Human Society of the US 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,” Humane Society 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.