Reward offered for information about puppy dumping

The Humane Society of the United States is now offering a reward for information about the person or people who dumped bags full of pit bull puppies in Mercer County last month.

“From all accounts, they were dead when they were dumped,” said Summer Wyatt, West Virginia State Director for the Humane Society of the United States.  She says at least ten dead puppies, estimated to be about six months old, were found.

The puppies are at Virginia Tech for examination to determine a cause of death.  Wyatt says, based on the reports, she thinks this is a case of  animal cruelty.

A property owner saw someone throw the bags out of a vehicle in the Grassy Branch area on Friday, April 26th.  The resident called 911 two days later after noticing an odor coming from the bags.  Animal control officers responded and found the dead puppies.

The Humane Society of West Virginia is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people who dumped the dogs.

Under West Virginia law, those involved could face felony animal cruelty charges.

“Violence is never an option for an animal or for a human, especially to an innocent person or animal that, obviously, wasn’t at any fault here,” Wyatt said.  “Animals can always be turned over to your local animal shelter, humane society or rescue group.  This type of thing is never the answer.”