SPCA, PETA Each Offering $5,000 Reward In Pit Bull Hanging Case
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Pennsylvania SPCA and PETA have each announced $5,000 rewards in the case of the female pit bull hanged in Philadelphia's Logan section.
On Wednesday, November 4, Latanya Thomas discovered her 5-year-old pit bull, Mama, was found hanged by her leash over a neighbor's fence in the 5200 block of N. Marvine Street. Mama, along with her two puppies, had been stolen from the backyard the day before.
"It's quite clear to us that the death of this Pit Bull was not an accident, but rather a blatant act of animal cruelty," said Jerry Buckley, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. "While our officers are working diligently to bring the offender to justice, we are calling on the public for help in this matter. We feel that it is very likely that someone saw something, and we are hoping that this reward will encourage them to come forward."
While the puppies have since been found and returned, the Pennsylvania SPCA has yet to determine who is responsible for the dogs' kidnapping and Mama's death, prompting PETA- whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"- to also offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these crimes.
"This dog endured the terror and pain of being stolen from her home, along with her puppies, and strangled to death," says PETA Senior Director Colleen O'Brien. "PETA is urging anyone with any information about this horrific case to come forward immediately, before anyone else gets hurt."
The remains of the female Pit Bull were brought to the Pennsylvania SPCA headquarters where a necropsy will be performed.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information should contact the Pennsylvania SPCA's cruelty hotline at 1-866-601-SPCA, or visit PETA.org.