Alexandria Dog Treated After Finding Sausage With Hook, PETA Joins Investigation

ALEXANDRIA, VA — PETA is joining the investigation to find out who left sausages with fish hooks inside for dogs to find on the streets of Alexandria. It led to an animal hospital visit for one dog.

Last Friday, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria said a dog owner found a sausage with a fish hook inside it near the Duke Street and Ingram Street intersection. A responding animal services officer found eight more sausages embedded with fish hooks.

PETA identified the dog owner who first discovered the sausages as Sarah Eberhardt. According to PETA, Eberhardt was walking her dog, Potato, at 9:30 a.m. July 7 when the animal picked up one of the sausage pieces and began gagging on it.

Eberhardt took Potato to an emergency animal hospital; the dog is now home and is expected to fully recover.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria believes no other animals were harmed thanks to the quick action of the dog owner. The organization urged dog owners to be alert of surroundings when walking dogs.

A $5,000 reward was offered by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for the arrest of the person responsible. PETA announced Thursday it would add a $5,000 reward, bringing the total reward to $10,000 for an arrest.

"Companion animals and wildlife are in imminent danger as long as the cruel person(s) responsible for this malicious act is walking around free," said PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch in a statement. "PETA urges people to stay alert when walking their dogs and asks anyone with information to come forward immediately before someone gets hurt."

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has been monitoring the area daily to ensure no other sausages have been placed. The organization still urges dog owners to use caution when walking dogs and to report suspicious activity.

While police canvassed the area to seek surveillance footage, there are no current leads in the case. Anyone with information and nearby residents with security camera footage can contact the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria at 703-746-6000 or AnimalServices@AlexandriaAnimals.org.