Up to $5,000 Reward Offered in Skunk Mutilation Case

Two dead skunks with signs reading “Obama Stinks” were discovered in Fairfield on Tuesday, March 10. One of the animals was found nailed to a telephone pole.

Since then, Fairfield Police notified the Secret Service and the Humane Society of the United States and the Connecticut branch weighed in on the case.

“We’re grateful that Fairfield Police and Animal Control are taking this grisly crime seriously — there is absolutely no excuse for mutilating defenseless animals like these skunks,” said Annie Hornish, Connecticut state director for The HSUS. “We hope our reward helps find the person responsible for committing this horrible act.”

‘Protecting the Community’

The HSUS said cruelty against animals can be indicative of a larger issue.

“Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community,” the HSUS said in a press release. “The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.”

The HSUS cited a 2001-04 study conducted by the Chicago Police Department that “revealed a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims.” Of the people arrested for crimes against animals, 65-percent of them had also been arrested on charges of battery against people.

The ASPCA cited a study of 11 U.S. cities that found a history of pet abuse is one of four most significant indicators of “who is at greatest risk of becoming a domestic batterer.”

Reward Offered

A reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for mutilating the two skunks is offered by the HSUS.

The HSUS recently doubled its standard cruelty reward from $2,500 to $5,000 and the National Sheriffs’ Association and The HSUS recently launched ICE BlackBox, a free smartphone tool that allows users to record videos of alleged animal cruelty. The videos can then be shared securely with law enforcement for possible investigation and prosecution, according to the HSUS.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fairfield Police at 203-254-4800 or Animal Control at 203-254-4857.

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Photo Credit: HSUS