Reward of Up to $5,000 Offered for Help Nabbing Dangerous Dog Abuser

PETA Seeks Public’s Help in Identifying Culprit(s) Who Bound Dog’s Mouth Shut With Rubber Band and Walked Away

For Immediate Release:
March 12, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

On the evening of March 3, a good Samaritan spotted a young white poodle in an alley on the 700 block of Amador Avenue in Ontario. A thick rubber band had been fastened around the dog’s mouth so tightly that it was embedded in his skin down to the bone, leaving him in severe pain, unable to eat or drink, and with badly infected wounds. The 1-year-old dog, now named Ricky, was rushed to the Inland Valley Humane Society and S.P.C.A., where he needed up to 60 sutures in three layers around his muzzle. He’s reportedly in stable condition and expected to survive—and since he had no tag, collar, or microchip, he’ll be put up for adoption after he has recovered.

The Inland Valley Humane Society and S.P.C.A. is investigating but has yet to determine who is responsible for this horrific act. That’s why PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person(s) responsible for this crime.

“Without an observant person’s quick action and a veterinarian’s care, this little dog could have died, alone and afraid, from infection, dehydration, or starvation,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA seeks the public’s help so that whoever snapped a rubber band around this dog’s muzzle and walked away can be held accountable and stopped from hurting anyone else.”

Anyone with information about this case should contact the Inland Valley Humane Society and S.P.C.A. at 909-623-9777, extension 672.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way.” For more information about PETA, please visit PETA.org.