IDA Adds $2500 to Reward for Arrest of Person(s) Responsible for Animal Slayings

Wyoming County, Pa.—In the past week, five dogs have been found killed and skinned in Wyoming County and Lackawanna County. International animal protection organization In Defense of Animals (IDA) is adding a reward of $2500 to The Humane Society of Lackawanna County’s $1800 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these killings.

On Tuesday, November 13, the remains of three dogs (probably a mother and her two puppies) were discovered in a Wyoming County creek near Tunkhannock. The canines had been badly beaten and mutilated, and finally skinned, and the condition of the corpses prevented veterinarians from even being able to determine their breed. However, evidence strongly suggests that they were someone’s companions and had perhaps been abducted by the killer(s).

Then on Friday, November 16, police in Lackawanna County discovered the bodies of two more dogs who had been murdered and skinned, then dumped on a rural road near Carbondale. Again the corpses were so badly damaged that it was impossible to identify their breed, but these dogs also seem to have belonged to someone. Police have not yet determined whether the same killer(s) are involved in both incidents or whether the second murders were the work of a copycat killer. Several kittens were also found murdered in Lackawanna County around Halloween.

By offering a $2500 reward, IDA hopes to convey the seriousness of this crime, not only for the purpose of achieving justice for the murdered animals and their devastated guardians, but to prevent potential violence against citizens living in the area. F.B.I. and Department of Justice studies have proven a connection between animal abuse and – later in life – domestic violence, child abuse and serial killings. Infamous murderers – including Ted Bundy, Earl Kenneth Shriner, David Berkowitz, Brenda Spencer and Columbine High School’s Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold – are known to have tortured and mutilated animals before moving on the human victims.

“When people report animal cruelty, they help the police and the local humane society protect animals and people from intensified violence,” says IDA President and founder Elliot M. Katz, DVM. “My experience with cases like this tells me that there is a lot more going on than what we are seeing.” Statistics about the link between violence to animals and violence to humans are available at www.guardiancampaign.com/violencestats.html.

Leads from concerned citizens may be the only hope for finding whoever committed these reprehensible acts. Anyone who may have information about these crimes is encouraged to contact state police at (570) 963-4745 or Tina Walter at the Humane Society of Lackawanna County at (570) 585-0510.