METROPOLIS, IL - A $2500 reward is being offered by RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization, for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of whomever tortured and nearly killed a young Boxer dog found earlier this week in Massac County.

A Good Samaritan found the injured dog in Mermet, Illinois on Monday, and brought him to Project Hope No-Kill Humane Society in Metropolis, Illinois, the following day. Recognizing the severity of the dog’s suffering, the dog, now named Chance, was immediately transferred to Purchase Mobile Veterinarian in Paducah to begin treatment. The veterinarian found that Chance’s wounds were substantial and severe. He may have been dragged behind a vehicle, burned and possibly sodomized. Pathology reports are pending and will reveal more details about the nature of the abuse that Chance suffered.

“This is the worst case of cruelty I’ve personally treated,” said Dr. Bonnie Jones, the veterinarian treating Chance. “He had his first two-hour surgery yesterday, and will require further surgeries, skin grafts and physical therapy to assist with healing and motion. He has a long rehabilitation ahead of him, but has a good prognosis of survival.”

“Someone out there knows what happened to Chance,” said Donna Groves, Treasurer of Project Hope No-Kill Shelter, which is collecting donations to fund Chance’s rehabilitation. “This cruel treatment cannot go without a response. He deserves justice.” 

A study conducted by the Massachusetts SPCA and Northeastern University showed that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violence against people, four times more likely to commit property crimes and three times more likely to be involved in drunken or disorderly offenses.

"We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this heinous cruelty to come forward with information that could lead to an arrest," said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. "Violence toward animals is often a precursor to violence toward people, so Massac County residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this sick act is punished to the full extent of the law."

RedRover pledges rewards around the country to encourage witnesses to step forward with information about animal cruelty crimes and to highlight the need for harsher punishments in such cases.  For more information, visit redrover.org.

The public is asked to contact the Massac County Sheriff's Dept. at 618-524-2912 with any information.  

Donations toward Chance's vet care may be sent to Project Hope, P.O. Box 125, Metropolis, IL 62960.



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