$25K Reward Offered For Info On Person Who Shot Pup With Arrow In DHS

LA QUINTA, CA — A La Quinta woman is giving a puppy that was the victim of heinous animal cruelty a new start in life. The little dog, now named Tiffany Grace, also has support from a nonprofit animal welfare organization that is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person responsible for her horrible treatment.

On Thursday, Lyn Thornton adopted the 4-month-old female Chihuahua that had been shot through the neck with an arrow.

The dog's life was saved May 23 when a man discovered the wounded puppy after hearing what he reported were screams in the 15500 block of Avenida Florencita in unincorporated Desert Hot Springs.

The man, who requested anonymity, said he was afraid to pick up the puppy and cause more harm, according to Riverside County Department of Animal Services spokesperson John Welsh. Instead, the good Samaritan called 911, and a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy picked up the dog and met an animal control officer at an intersection not far from the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms.

Once the little dog arrived at the shelter, registered veterinary technician Ivan Herrera — under the guidance of staff veterinarian Dr. Luis Lizarraga — got to work on the pup.

"We have a top-notch veterinary services division, as highlighted by the life-saving efforts provided to this unfortunate victim of a terrible act of animal cruelty," said Erin Gettis, director of Riverside County Department of Services. "As much as I was very troubled to learn about what someone did to this puppy, I was equally proud that we gave this very sweet girl a chance at a better future."

The man who called 911 was so interested in how the puppy was fairing that he visited her after the arrow was removed, and Thornton stepped in to adopt her.

Animal Services employees chose Thornton and her family as the official adopter after careful consideration, said Jackie Schart, an Riverside County Department of Animal Services chief overseeing operations at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus.

"She wrote us a compelling letter and shared that she has a great relationship with her veterinarian, has adopted senior dogs and challenging medical-case dogs previously," Schart said. "She was going to keep in touch with us and has been an animal ambassador and advocate for shelter dogs in Riverside County."

Thornton was thrilled at the opportunity to forever love Tiffany Grace.

"I want to let you know how grateful I am that you chose us," Thornton said. "After a lunch of shredded chicken, we took her home to meet her family. She chose to play with her new brother on the bed.”

After some playtime, the two dogs settled down and took a nap together, according to Thornton.

"I could tell she felt safe and slept very soundly," she said.

But Tiffany Grace's story doesn't end there, Welsh said.

The cruelty has sparked outrage across the county and beyond. Dr. Gary K. Michelson, founder of Los Angeles-based Michelson Found Animals Foundation, contacted Riverside County Department of Animal Services and offered the $25,000 reward.

The dollar amount is the highest such reward ever received by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, according to Welsh.

"People who hurt animals are far more likely to cause harm to humans," Michelson said. "While this is a sickening incident on its own, these acts are rarely isolated."

Those who serve at Riverside County Department of Animal Services are optimistic that the person responsible for the horrific cruelty will be found.

Gettis hopes "this new reward will encourage someone to come forward and help us identify who committed this terrible crime,” she said.

Anyone with information about who purposely harmed the puppy is asked to contact Riverside County Department of Animal Services at shelterinfo@rivco.org.