News Release

Dog Found Skinned in St. Roch Area

COMMUNITY’S RESPONSE TO RECENT LA/SPCA CASE
REFLECTS CONCERNED CITIZENS’ UNITED EFFORT
TO STAMP OUT ANIMAL CRUELTY

Reward Increased To $8,000

NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 26, 2008) – The community’s response to the recent Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) case involving the act of cruelty in the St. Roch area on Painters Street in New Orleans has brought forth a large response from citizens who are pooling their resources to help the LA/SPCA crack the case. The act of animal cruelty, where a dog was found skinned prior to its death and was initially reported on November 24, included a $500 reward to help solve the case.

Due to the outcry and concern for citizens who were horrified by the initial news reports, individuals have pooled their resources and the reward has increased to $8,000 to date. The reward will go to anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. The LA/SPCA says that anonymity will be protected if anyone with information wants to remain anonymous.

Kathryn Destreza, LA/SPCA’s Director of Humane Law Enforcement, said the response from the community has been extremely encouraging and shows that taking a united stand against animal cruelty is crucial to stamping out a cycle of violence in our community that seems to be intensifying. Destreza said her office has seen an increase in extreme animal cruelty cases over the past 12 months. “There was the case of the Lakeview man charged with brutally killing his dog with an ax and the domestic disturbance case that led to a cat being set on fire, and now this,” said Destreza. “Something more seems to be going on in our community and the animals are the victims.” The Lakeview case cited by Destreza is scheduled to go to trail Tuesday, December 2 in Orleans Parish Criminal Court.

Ana Zorrilla, LA/SPCA’s CEO, said she is extremely grateful to all the citizens that have made it possible to increase the reward. “We’re deeply thankful and touched by the outpouring of support and outcry from animal lovers everywhere.” The LA/SPCA hopes that the increased reward will motivate someone who knows more about what happened to come forward with information.

The $8000 reward is available to anyone who comes forward with information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. Residents are asked to please contact the LA/SPCA at 504-368-5191 ext 100 with any information, or offer information online.

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