Community Corner

Peninsula Humane Society Offers Reward in Animal Cruelty Case

A 10-week-old Pit Bull was found badly injured in East Palo Alto earlier this month.

The Peninsula Humane Society is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a puppy being attacked by another dog or dogs, then left for dead on an East Palo Alto sidewalk.

The animal was found in the area of the Cooley Avenue and Bell Street intersection in East Palo Alto on Friday, Nov. 1.

“This larger than usual reward amount is meant to reflect our horror and outrage,” said PHS/SPCA President Ken White. “The photos we have chosen to release are in no way even close to being the worst and hardest to look at.”

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The puppy, a 10-week-old male Pit Bull, was brought to PHS/SPCA by a Good Samaritan close to 7 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Initially the puppy was thought to be dead, but the individual realized the dog was still breathing, then transported the badly injured dog to PHS/SPCA. The dog was unable to walk or stand.

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The puppy died later that evening, succumbing to the massive injuries, which included lacerations, multiple bite wounds and muscle damage.

The multitude of bite wounds and the fact that leg wounds were in different directions led PHS/SPCA to believe the puppy may have been attacked by multiple dogs.

The puppy was white with black spots. He was not neutered and had no identification, collar, tag or microchip. But, the puppy’s nails were trimmed, indicating he was likely owned. 

The Good Samaritan who transported the puppy to PHS/SPCA said there was no blood trailing from the dog’s position on the sidewalk, indicating the dog was not attacked there, but attacked elsewhere then transported to and ultimately left at this location. The attack almost certainly happened that day.

PHS/SPCA is investigating this as a case of criminal neglect for the owner who failed to provide veterinary care for their injured puppy and is also looking into the possibility of animal abandonment and a possible connection with dog fighting. Depending on details that surface, this could be a misdemeanor or felony. 

Anyone with information that could help PHS/SPCA in this case should call PHS/SPCA Lead Humane Investigator Christina Hanley at 650/393-9281. Someone may have had a puppy stolen who matches this puppy’s age and description.


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