Black Sabbath Bassist Offers Reward for Man Who Beat Dog to Death

LOS ANGELES, CA - A contribution by Black Sabbath band member Geezer Butler has increased to $22,500 the possible reward now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who killed a small dog in the Boyle Heights area last month, it was announced today.

Butler is providing $2,500 on top of the $20,000 that the city and several animal advocacy groups are planning to put up to help lead authorities to the culprit, Judy Mancuso, president of animal advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation, said during a City Hall news conference today.

The killing took place around 1:30 p.m. on May 14 in the 1600 block of East First Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A witness told police he saw a small dog jump out of a Dodge Caravan. The driver then got out of the car and chased down the dog. He then punched it a number times and threw it down onto the sidewalk until the dog was dead. The man then got back into his van and took off.

The suspect was described as white, about 6-feet-2 and 280 pounds, with balding gray hair, between 50 and 60 years old. The witness also got a picture of the man's van, which appeared to be a silver Dodge Caravan from 1996 through 2000 with an off-color bumper.

The dog was a light-colored Yorkshire Terrier, weighing about 10 pounds, according to Detective Alfredo Reyes of the LAPD's animal cruelty task force.

Councilman Paul Koretz said today that he is "outraged that someone who would beat a small dog to death is still at large," adding that someone who would do that is also capable of doing harm to others.

Koretz has introduced a motion requesting that the city offer a $10,000 reward, with the council expected to take a vote on it Friday.

The groups People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Social Compassion in Legislation and Davey's Voice -- a Santa Barbara-based anti- animal cruelty organization -- are contributing another $10,000. Butler, the musician, added the remaining $2,500, to bring the total reward to $22,500.

Journalist and activist Jane Velez-Mitchell issued a message to the killer today, saying, "If you are listening, the best thing you can do is turn yourself in, because you will be found by our law enforcement that's out to get you and out to find you and prosecute you."

Anyone with information on the man's identity and whereabouts was asked to call Reyes at (213) 486- 0450. Tipsters can also call the LAPD's 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD-24-7 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. All tips can be submitted anonymously.

City News Service; Photo: LAPD