The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for tying up, shooting and killing a dog in Polk County, Iowa. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is also offering $500, and the dog's owner has offered a reward of $100 increasing the total reward to $1,600.

On October 31, Polk County sheriff’s officials found a three-year-old Doberman pinscher tied to a gate in a recreational area at NW 150th Avenue, at the northwest end of Big Creek Lake. The dog, named Chaos, had been shot twice in the head.

The Des Moines Register reports that authorities are investigating whether the incident is connected to two complaints and a threatening message left with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa concerning Chaos and another dog, which were on the loose and owned by Chad Rouh, who lives about five miles north of Polk City. One of Rouh’s other dogs, a Doberman pinscher named Cyrus, is also missing.  Rouh owns 3 dogs.

A threatening message was left twice last month with the rescue league about the dogs running loose.  The executive director of the rescue league, Tom Colvin, called the death brutal.  "The fact the dog was tied up and shot, there's no doubt in my mind that it was intentional", stated Colvin.

Rouh's dogs' had been taken to the rescue league twice for being strays.  He said they stayed in their 21x10 foot chain link kennel during the day.  Rouh does not have any idea how they escaped from their kennel.  "Never in my 3 years of living here have I had any complaints that they were a nuisance.  They're real friendly dogs".

Both dogs had collars, tags and had been microchipped between their shoulder blades.  Rouh says, "I just need closure on it.  I just need to know if I have another dog out there".

“Dogs at-large can be a nuisance, and sometimes even a danger, to the community. But acting out violently against the dog is not the way to resolve the problem. It is animal cruelty and is against the law,” said Arnold Baer, acting director for The HSUS Midwest Regional Office. “It also indicates a propensity towards violence that is very disturbing. This person continues to pose a potential threat to other animals, and also to people, until he or she is apprehended.”

Animal protection organizations and law enforcement alike, including the FBI, have long known about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence.

Under Iowa law, a first time animal cruelty offense is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of at least $500 but not to exceed $5,000. A second offense is a Class D felony and carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail and a $7,500 fine.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400 or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa at 515-262-9503.

“People should not let their dogs roam,” cautioned Baer. “It is dangerous for the dog, is a nuisance to the community, and if the dog is not spayed or neutered, contributes to the pet overpopulation problem. At the same time, if someone is experiencing trouble with a neighbor who allows their dog to roam free, they should contact their local animal shelter or animal control officer immediately. These people are trained to handle animals at-large, to educate owners about responsible pet ownership, and can take the dog into custody if necessary.”

Reference:

HSUS

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa