In Defense of Animals Offers $2,500 Reward In Dog Dragging Case

Winona Chow Mix Dragged To Death Wednesday Evening

Winona, Miss.—Wednesday evening, between 7:30 PM and 10 PM, a dog was killed on Airport Road in Winona, just yards away from the Winona Airport property. In Defense of Animals’ (IDA) Project Hope sanctuary in Mississippi is offering a $2,500 reward information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator or perpetrators.

Thursday morning, Project Hope Director Doll Stanley received a call from a young man in Winona. He reported that the night before – Wednesday night – he had discovered a dog who had been dragged to his death in the road. A chain was attached to the dog, extended to full length and broken at the end, so it was apparent he had been chained and dragged behind a vehicle.

The dog, a male Chow mix, 3-5 years, approximately 45-50 lbs, with no identification, was extensively scraped and battered, with punctures. He had sand and gravel embedded in his legs and head, and the chain was wrapped around his neck 7 times.

The complainant indicated he had called the Winona police department, and the dispatcher seemed unable to help, asking what the complainant expected the police to do about it. In Defense of Animals later discovered that the police department had indeed sent an officer to the scene. The officer had moved the dog to the side of the road.

When IDA learned what had happened, Doll Stanley went to investigate. She found the dog, with the chain still around his neck. She called the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, which immediately responded by sending an officer to the scene.

The dog, who Project Hope named Rodney, also had mange, possibly indicating a life of neglect. Rodney was taken to a veterinarian, who confirmed dragging by vehicle as the cause of death. Rodney was then buried at Project Hope.

According to Stanley, “This comes on the heals of two other egregious acts of violence to animals in this region, one animal scalded, another skinned alive. In Defense of Animals will do whatever we can to bring the perpetrators to justice, including a $2,500 reward in this case."

If you have information about this dog or the circumstances that led to his death, please call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department at 662-283-3343, or IDA’s Project Hope at 662-237-0233.