PETA Officials Offer $5K Reward For Arrest Of Culprit In Dog Abandonment Case

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoeverleft an emaciated dog in a crate by the roadside earlier this month, officials said Thursday.

On the morning of Nov. 2, police responded to a call about what was believed to be a dead dog left abandoned in the 600 block of West Croslin Street near Guadalupe Street, as Patch previously reported. Upon their arrival, police saw that the dog was barely breathing, but still alive, lying in its own feces.

A veterinarian tending to the animal later reported the dog was hypothermic and emaciated with its hips, ribs, and spine protruding from its skin and had lost most of its muscle mass. The dog continues to make a slow but steady recovery.

Police continue to investigate, but no arrests have been made. Toward the end of finding a culprit, PETA —whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way," officials noted — is now offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

"This sick dog was dumped on the side of the road like a piece of garbage and left to die alone in agony," PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien said in a prepared statement. "PETA urges anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately, before anyone else gets hurt."

The dog, who is believed to be around 1 year old, is in serious condition but is expected to recover.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Austin Police Department (APD) Animal Cruelty Tip Line at 512-978-0523. Tips can also be submitted via the free APD mobile app for iPhone and Android.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

>>> Photos courtesy of PETA