PETA Offers $5,000 Reward for Capture, Conviction of Dog Killer

Van Stolen From Parking Lot With Family Dog Inside—Dog Later Found Dead, Likely From Heatstroke

For Immediate Release:
August 21, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Los Angeles — On August 17, Nayo Mateo walked out of a store to find that his minivan—with his beloved 10-year-old dog Maru inside—had been stolen. Two days later, police found the abandoned vehicle, and Maru, who was locked inside, was dead—probably from heat prostration. Police have yet to make any arrests in connection with the theft or Maru’s death. That’s why PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and cruelty-to-animals conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

“Maru likely experienced a prolonged, painful, and terrifying death, which is typical of animals left in hot cars who succumb to heatstroke,” says PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch. “Perpetrators of crimes against animals must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Anyone with information about this case should call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-275-5273.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.