The Humane Society of the United States Offers Reward in Rochester Dog Killing

10/2/2002

From: Samantha Mullen of the Humane Society of the United States, 973-927-5611

FLANDERS, N.J., Oct. 2 -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal protection organization, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for strangling a dog September 2002.

Cruelty investigators from the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm recovered the body of a 1-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier on Sept. 6. The dog, named Ceasar, was found by his owners floating in a wading pool on their property on Emerson Street in Rochester.

An examination performed by Humane Society at Lollypop Farm Chief Veterinarian Andy Newmark revealed that the dog had been strangled prior to being placed in the pool. Cruelty investigators are currently seeking information about the events that led to Ceasar's death and the individuals responsible.

"This is a dreadful act of deliberate cruelty," said Samantha Mullen, program coordinator for The HSUS Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. "It is frightening to consider what could be going on in the mind of a person who would strangle a dog. Studies show that individuals who commit such acts are fully capable of violence toward humans; in fact, the humans who cared for Ceasar were emotionally devastated by what happened to their pet. Whoever is responsible needs to be taken off the street before he or she hurts another animal or person. In addition to whatever other punishment the court metes out in crimes such as this, required psychological counseling is clearly indicated."

Animal protection organizations and law enforcement alike, including the FBI, have long known about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. Many criminals, from young school shooters to the most notorious serial killers, have had a history of cruelty to animals. The HSUS First Strike(tm) campaign raises public awareness about the correlation between animal cruelty and violence towards people while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families.

As a part of this campaign, The HSUS has launched a new public service announcement styled as a music video, educating teens about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. According to a 2001 report compiled by The HSUS, teens made up 20 percent of intentional cruelty incidents; 95 percent of teen perpetrators were male.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Animal Cruelty Hotline at 585-223-6500. Calls are treated confidentially.

The HSUS has seven million members and constituents. With active programs in companion animals, wildlife, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture, The HSUS works to protect all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and field work. For more information, visit The HSUS' Web site at http://www.hsus.org.

NOTE: Photos of Ceasar are available.