$5K Reward Offered For Leads To Man Who Killed Tiny Dog By Punching, Hurling It To Ground

LOS ANGELES, CA - A reward of up to $5,000 was offered today for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who killed a small dog in the Westlake area of Los Angeles.

The killing took place around 1:30 p.m. 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 van, believed to be a Dodge Caravan. The driver then got out of the vehicle, chased down the dog and then punched it a number times before repeatedly throwing it down onto the sidewalk until the animal was dead. The man then got back into his van and took off.

The case is under investigation by detectives from the LAPD's Animal Cruelty Task Force, and the reward is being offered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"This little dog endured an agonizing, terrifying death when his head was bashed against the sidewalk by a disturbed and violent man,'' PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said. "PETA is urging anyone with information about
this man to come forward now so that he can be held accountable for his crimes and stopped from hurting anyone else.''

Lange said police and mental health professionals believe those who commit violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who also pose a potential threat to humans.

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

Anyone with information on the man's identity or whereabouts was urged to call LAPD Animal Cruelty Task Force Detective Alfredo 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/Image via LAPD