PETA Calls On Local Vets and Businesses to Help Determine Drowned Dog’s Identity

Necropsy Report Reveals That Female Pit Bull Had Recently Given Birth, May Have Received Veterinary Care

For Immediate Release:
May 16, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Hampton Roads, Va. — Because the necropsy report of the black-and-white female pit bull whose remains were found floating in the James River on Sunday in Newport News, Va. reveals several clues as to the dog’s identity—including that she may have recently been seen by a veterinarian—PETA, which is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for drowning her, is asking Peninsula veterinary clinics to search their medical records for dogs who match her description and urging businesses near the pier where her body was found (behind 99 Jefferson Ave.) to review and preserve their surveillance videos. The group also urges nearby residents to come forward with any further clues as to the dog’s identity.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact PETA at 757-622-7382 or [email protected].

The necropsy report corroborates PETA’s suspicions that the dog had been tied to an 11-pound weight and thrown into the river, shattering one of her ribs and likely causing her to drown. The report further offers the following clues as to the dog’s identity:

• Female pit bull, 2 to 4 years old
• Mostly black with a white muzzle, chin, collar, chest, and abdomen and white socks on all four feet
• Recently gave birth to a litter, approximately four months ago
• May have recently been seen by a veterinarian and had evenly shaved rectangular patches of fur on her front legs

“Somebody out there knows something—has heard that a neighbor’s dog recently went missing, recognizes this dog’s photograph or description, or saw something suspicious along the river last week,” says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. “PETA urges anyone with any information to come forward and help to make sure that nobody gets away with intentionally throwing this dog into the river to die.”

For more information, please visit PETA.org.