$6500 Reward Offered for Capture and Conviction of Dog Killer

Ben Lomond, Calif.—A $6500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing Ruby, a dog who was fatally shot last month, possibly as an act of revenge. Ruby, a five-year-old red merle Queensland heeler, was the beloved canine companion of Sundi Martin and Caesar Ramirez, proprietors of Henfling’s Bar and Tavern. The couple considered Ruby their child, and they are emotionally devastated by her violent and untimely death.

The morning after Ruby wandered away and got lost, Caltrans workers found her body abandoned along Highway 9 in Brackney, about a half-mile from where she was last seen. Santa Cruz County Animal Services Officer Todd Stosuy says the perpetrator had fired a small caliber handgun at very close range into the back of Ruby’s head, and that the execution-style killing was clearly intentional. There has been speculation that Ruby was murdered as an act of revenge for a disagreement that took place at Henfling’s, but the San Lorenzo Sheriff’s Department has not yet called any suspects in for questioning.

Violent acts toward animals, when left unaddressed, have been linked to intensified violence and neglect and/or expansion to human victims. Studies by the F.B.I. and U.S. Department of Justice have proven the connection between animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. For example, serial killers Ted Bundy, Earl Kenneth Shriner, David Berkowitz (a.k.a. “Son of Sam”), Brenda Spencer, and Columbine’s Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold all reportedly tortured animals before murdering humans.

“When people report animal cruelty, they help protect animals and people from intensified violence,” says Elliot M. Katz, DVM, President and founder of In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization based in San Rafael that is offering part of the reward money. Statistics on the connection between animal abuse and violence against people are available at www.guardiancampaign.com/violencestats.html.

IDA has contributed $2500 to the reward fund, and Voices for Pets has pledged $2000. Funds from Ruby’s grieving guardians and donations from their friends make up the remainder of the $6500 reward for any information which results in the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her death.

Would you please consider sharing this information with your audience? It may be the only hope for finding the person(s) responsible for this reprehensible act. Anyone with information on the case should contact Todd Stosuy at (831) 454-7254.