Humane Society offers reward for information leading to arrest, conviction of person who assaulted bound dogs with hatchet
Humane Society of Huron Valley veterinary staff work on a rottweiler that went missing and was later found severely injured, along with another dog, after they had apparently been bound and assaulted with a hatchet.
Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Huron Valley
Two dogs were euthanized after they went missing and were later found with severe injuries inflicted with a hatchet while they were bound, according to a Humane Society of Huron Valley news release.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the assaults against the dogs — a female rottweiler and a male shepherd mix.
The dogs, each with different owners, had been playing outside near their Sylvan Township homes when they went missing March 9, said Matt Schaecher, supervisor of cruelty and rescue at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. The dogs were found later that day in the area of Garvey and Pierce roads — the shepherd mix about 8:30 a.m. and the rottweiler about 3 p.m. — both severely injured, Schaecher said.
Schaecher said a motorist noticed one of the dogs lying near the road while driving past the area in the morning and called the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office and that same person noticed the second dog lying in a field not far from the road later that day and called to report that as well.
Schaecher said the dogs were euthanized shortly after arriving at the humane society.
"Our vets worked on them and tried to save them, but their injuries were too severe," he said.
The dogs were then sent to Michigan State University, where necropsy results showed the wounds had been intentionally inflicted with a hatchet while the dogs were bound, according to the release.
Schaecher would not say how many wounds the dogs suffered. He said he had never heard of an animal cruelty case of this nature.
“This is a very heinous case of animal cruelty, and we want to make sure that the community is aware that dogs running loose may be in extra danger. We have no reasonable explanation for what happened to these dogs. For their sake, and that of the safety of the community, we will do everything in our power to find this person and bring them to justice,” Schaecher said in a news release.
Officials with the HSHV say animal cruelty is a daily occurrence.
“While this is a particularly upsetting case, animal cruelty is a daily occurrence. Dog fighting, abuse and torture of innocent animals, animal neglect and abandonment is, in part, what keeps us in business,” executive director Tanya Hilgendorf said in the release. “Most people love and treat their pets like members of the family. But there are those who see animals as objects without feeling and others with violent tendencies who view animals as the perfect voiceless victims." Anyone with information related to this case can call the HSHV anonymous tip line, (734) 661-3551.
• Click here for information on how to stop animal cruelty.
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
localgirl
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 4 a.m.
Where is the follow up article?
Susan
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
The reward is now $1000. <a href="http://www.hshv.org/breakingnewsnow.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.hshv.org/breakingnewsnow.htm</a>
britches
Fri, Mar 18, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.
Did anyone else notice that the same motorist just happened to spot and call in the dogs at two very different times? If I'm understanding this right it's kind of shady, in my opinion. Just a thought.
Heather Lockwood
Fri, Mar 18, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
I spoke to the motorist who found the dogs, she is a friend of the person who owned Buddy. She had been taking her child to and from the babysitter, which is why she came across both dogs at different times that day.
DJ
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 10:01 a.m.
I absolutely agree with all of you---my heart is also broken for these 2 families. The owner of Buddy,one of the poor dogs, is a dear friend & work associate- it's important for you all to know how very much your kind words & concern as a community is truly comforting her & all her extended family right now. Please continue to keep both families in your hearts & prayers -- & please continue to support them with your healing sentiments- it does help them so much!
pbehjatnia
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1 a.m.
why is the reward so low?
cgk
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
There are no words........... I agree with everyone concerning children and other animals. It's a Jeff Dahmer or something even worse in the making.
spm
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
Ellen, That's a great catch for noting the dates of the Superior dog killer with this dog killer. That seems extremely suspicious that both stories about mutilated dogs would be around the same month and day. I hope the police start looking into perhaps a connection there. The killer probably did move, perhaps left our area or Michigan for a while, maybe they need to start doing a search for other mutilitated dogs in other areas between 2004 and now. They might find a pattern. My thoughts to the family that lost their pets and to the other families in that area - keep your dogs inside and closely watch them when they need to go outside. It's better to be safe than sorry.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
first off, I had to look up where this township is, I know some of them off hand but not all of them so a map would be helpful for stories like these. this story is very disturbing and it also made me think of the multiple dogs that were found in superior township a few years ago. This is a very sick individual who did this.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:54 p.m.
Someone out there knows this individual. Let's all pay attention. Meanwhile, my mal, Bree, is not leaving my sight.
Go Blue
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
Are there any connections or similarities to this horrific act and the Superior Township acts of a few years ago? Possible the person committing this crime in Superior has now moved? Is this type of crime happening in any other townships that we are not aware of? More important than 'why' and 'how could a person do such a thing' is to find that person and get them off the streets - we all know this behavior will escalate. This is one very, very angry person.
Ellen
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
EyeHeart remembered and located the article: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-04-decapitated-dogs_x.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-04-decapitated-dogs_x.htm</a> The story dates 3/16/04 as when a dog was found. Do you think there's significance in the date?
SonnyDog09
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
I, too, hope that they catch the perp. However, given the bleeding heart nature of most of our local judges, I fear that any punishment that is imposed would be the proverbial "slap on the wrist."
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:01 a.m.
Interesting; on Google Maps, the Garvey and Pierce Roads area shows as all open fields for at least 1000 feet. That might explain why the immobilized dogs were visible from the road at two different locations within that area. It is sparsely populated: it appears someone could have dumped the dogs during hours of darkness undetected. Still - there's hope that in such a small community, either the perpetrator will tell what he did to someone or a neighbor might put two and two together about this person. I also take from the story that the dogs were let loose but that wouldn't make sense if those dogs had a history of running off their property. So it's possible that someone in the immediate neighborhood somehow got both dogs to approach closely enough to capture them. Then that person would have had to transport the dogs to a place where they could assault them as described. That is, if the dogs were truly close to their own homes when they were captured. I hope the authorities and the dogs' owners are working on this angle. Assuming that information in the article is actually accurate.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 4:50 a.m.
I will add $100 to the reward if the person(s) are captured that did this to these defensless animals. This is the kind of reward I know will remain anonymous and not be floating arouns a high school.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:42 a.m.
good for youe.... i wish i could
YpsilantiResident
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 4:09 a.m.
Wow... that is absolutely DISGUSTING. I am very saddened that people out there are capable of such horrendous things. However, I do find it odd that the SAME person discovered both dogs (they were found 5-7 hours apart... they were not both found together at the same time.) Not pointing fingers or suggesting anything, just pointing out that that seems very odd....
onlooker
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.
Thank you for not pointing fingers as odd as it may seem. I know this person and it was a horrific experience for them. Something that they will never forget.
Mike
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
Annarbor.com is a really swell news organization, and I'm really glad they brought this story to our attention. What kind of person would do this? Good thing we have the police and the humane society to sort it all out. I hope they catch this guy soon. There -- does that meet the guidelines?
eldegee
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
Still wondering if this righteous outrage exists for ALL creatures great and small. Yes or No. Perfectly legitimate question, and right on topic (cruelty/violence) A2news.com.
Mike
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:08 a.m.
As I said before, the issue is sentience. Life has no value simply because it is life.
Jen Eyer
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
Comments have been removed for being off-topic and for advocating violence, in accordance with our conversation guidelines.
tommy_t
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
This is a very sick disturbed being and should be locked up for the safety of the community. Sometimes the ole vigilante days don't sound too bad.
Mike
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
This is disgusting and the person that could do this is capable of anything
sandy schopbach
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.
This is extremely concerning, in its level of violence. Bind up a living creature and go at it with a hatchet? This time it was dogs. What's to say that this kind of sick person wouldn't go after a human being next time?
YpsiChick
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.
Seems to me that the person who did this did it for the thrill and attention he's now receiving. Otherwise he would have tossed the dogs into the woods, not the side of the road for a passerby to find. Truly a disturbed person.
Tonya
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
Jeffery dahmer started out killing animals then cutting them open!!
Tonya
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
This "person" is definitely a serial killer in the making! I hope they find this monster because next it will be a human they find left for dead on the side of the road! Hopefully when this monster is found he/she will be prosecuted to the fullest and not allowed back on the street to do this to anyone or anything ever again!!
WalkingJoe
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
How can someone who is supposed to be human do this. Our three dogs (all adopted from the Humane Society of Huron Valley) give us such love, comfort and joy that I can't imagine how someone could do such a cruel thing. When one of our dogs happens to to out of the fence by accident I foolishly worry about them getting hit by a car, certainly not being tortured by some sicko.
mamabear
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
SOMEONE knows who did this. PLEASE 'fess up NOW - don't protect this monster! You can remain anonymous and still collect the growing reward. This killer must be caught. Everyone needs to keep talking about this and keep your eyes and ears open until it is solved. It is good to see how many people are outraged by this.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:34 a.m.
welllllllllll, ya gotta get hte no-snitching mentality to go away first. the death of right-n-wrong is in ful l evidence here.
Jay
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 8:10 p.m.
My heart goes out for these dogs and their owners. It is hard enough to lose a pet anyway, but to lose one in this manner is unimaginable!! What is wrong with the person who does this? It sure seems Satan is working overtime. I can't fathom why anyone would want to hurt something as innocent as a pet...especially a "bound" pet. I'm so sad....
chelseamom
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
This story sent chills down my spine. I will discuss this story with my teenagers (just in case they overhear something at school) and to let them know they can't let their guard down even here in Chelsea. So sad that such evil exists.
a2phiggy
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:57 p.m.
Please remove the picture associated with the article. It adds nothing of value, and is disrespectful to the dog's owners.
snoopjane
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
What ever happened to the guy who beat his dog with the hammer not long ago... hmmm... We need to put these guys in PRISON!!!!!
MjC
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
This is such a terrible story - makes me sick. I hope the coward who committed this heartless act is found. And a heartfelt thanks to the caring people of the Huron Valley Humane Society. I'll be sending another check to show my support and sympathy for these two beautiful animals today.
JustJ
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
This is horrible...I hope they find out who did this and punish them for their act of cruelty. My heart goes out to the owners of both dogs. I am a dog lover and mine had been abused before I adopted her. She passed on naturally and that was horrible for my family, but I can only imagine the pain the owners are in losing a beloved pet this way. God Bless.
yourdad
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Somebody knows this person... We, as a society, need to understand that this type of behavior is and has been a precursor to the adult actions of serial criminals. Even if these animals were caught attacking livestock or some other creature, they certainly didn't deserve this type of treatment. I would kill anything to protect my family but can't phathom what type of disfunction it takes to do this to an innocent victim. Cinnabar is absolutely correct, watch your kids in this area. My speculation is that we will find out this is a younger offender.
dmalmquist
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
This is a horrifying incident. Worst case of animal cruelity that I have ever heard of. My god, my dog is like a family member, I could never hurt or abandon her. However, why does the AnnArbor.com insist on removing and deleting comments that violate AnnArbor.com's conversation guidelines? Quite frankly, anything that was written or said just expresses the views of a vast majority of the readers regarding this case. Whatever happened to free speech?
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:31 a.m.
One explanation for those redactions you mention is that AnnArbor.com is the owner of these forums, provided to readers under "guidelines" which have nothing to do with the free speech doctrine of the Constitution. This is true of most of the internet forums and the rules can be whatever the owner determines. It is entirely up to AnnArbor.com (and no one else, including me) to provide any explanations and they appear to be not actually obligated to provide them: they may just refer any persons posting (or objecting) to those guidelines. In other words, the burden is on the people who use this form of service to "know and follow" terms of use: whatever they may be. As for this horrifying incident: yes, I agree, such acts are beyond our comprehension - even to those of us who don't have a dog. But I will say that normal people often use only their own frames of reference - while not thinking about the probable frame of reference used by the perpetrators of such crimes. In other words: people who commit such acts are in a different mental world (and therefore possibly a different mental state) than are we.
rosy12
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.
This just sickens me. If they do catch the person responsible they won't even get enough jail time they deserve, but I'm going up to the humane society to put in additional reward money. Maybe if we all do that we can make the reward big enough to really encourage someone to make the call. Someone knows who is responsible. I can't even imagine the heartbreak for the owners of these two dogs - my heart goes out to you.
julieswhimsies
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
No words.
Buster W.
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
Speechless.
sun runner
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
My heart aches for the families who lost beloved companions. I can't feel anything but anger and disgust about the cruelty inflicted on these helpless animals. The person who did this should be ashamed of themselves, though by their very actions they have proven they have little shame, and even less empathy. I'm disturbed that this happened only a few miles from where I live. For all I know I may have had one or both of those dogs woof at me while I have been running on Garvey Rd. I hope they find whoever is responsible for this wretched act of brutality.
a2guy1974
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
i am speechless over this sort of cruelty. everybody go hug your pet right now.
bedrog
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
I will also add $100 to the reward pool, if a perp is found and sentenced appropriately ( which would mean a majorly stiff sentence) ..I volunteer at the humane society and will know of the person who deserves to claim it.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:30 a.m.
... that i had enough to supplant your addition ...
zip the cat
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.
I'll give you $500.00 more to add to the reward if and only if when you catch them you do not give them a plea bargain. I want to see them dealt with accordingly,not a slap on the wrist sentence
EyeHeartYpsi
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
Seems to have some parallels to the dog murders and mutilations happening in Superior Twp. 5 years ago. Did they ever arrest anyone for those or did it just fade from memory? Click link for USA Today article from 4/2006. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-04-decapitated-dogs_x.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-04-decapitated-dogs_x.htm</a>
Heather Lockwood
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
I asked Matt Schaecher, supervisor of cruelty and rescue at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, about this yesterday. He said the humane society has no reason to believe the incidents are related. And he said no one was ever charged in connection to the case you're referring to.
loves_fall
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.
Wow, yeah, it does... I wonder if anything did come from that. It seems like 5 years is quite a gap though.
So"uncool"
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.
OMG, what kind of a sick, rotten human does things like this? I agree this looks like the work of a soon to be serial killer. So sad, i can't imadgine
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws – Contact your federal, state, and local legislators – visit the website <a href="http://www.hshv.org" rel='nofollow'>http://www.hshv.org</a>. to find out more!
A2Writer
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:27 p.m.
This is absolutely horrific. My heart goes out to these innocent companion animals and their families. I am so sorry for your suffering. I agree with Kristie - the folks at HSHV are angels on earth, and my thoughts are with them today as well. I just made a donation in support of their Cruelty and Rescue operations and encourage anyone else who has been moved by this story to do the same. Their website is <a href="http://www.hshv.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.hshv.org/</a>.
Kristie
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:20 p.m.
First, my sincere condolences to the families of these dogs. It was a horrific way to lose a family member and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Second, for the person(s) responsible: you will be caught and I know there is a particularly dark and dismal future for you. Finally, to the Matt, Tanya, all of the people at HSHV, and the folks in law enforcement that track down and prosecute such offenders - thank you for your dedication. Witnessing such gruesome and violent abuses is no doubt very hard on you all, but you DO make a difference and the world is a better place for all of your dedication and hard work. You too are in my thoughts and prayers.
oneofsix
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
What can one say, other then my heart is breaking for these special animals and their human companions. As I sit here typing this, my lab is resting at my feet with the look in his eyes as if he knows I have heard of great sorrow. I will give him a hug and make sure he knows my love is as endless for him as the universe is wide. Please hold these Innocent animals in your prayers. I pray also for apprehension and conviction of all involved in this unimaginable, violent crime.
63Townie
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:57 p.m.
The deranged psychopath who did this needs to be apprehended as soon as possible. Another Jeffrey Dahmer in the making...
memyselfandi
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
My heart goes out to these owner's (parents) of the murdered dog (babies). The grief of losing a pet to illness or old age is always difficult, but this situation is so filled with such horror that it would be difficult to deal with the emotional trauma in addition to the loss. It takes a very sick and perverted individual to even entertain thoughts of such an evil deed...much less act upon it.
DBH
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
I second all of the above comments regarding the horrific nature of this crime. What I find particularly unsettling is that this person or persons severely injured these dogs and then sadistically left them to suffer from their wounds. I add my condolences to the owners of these pets for their losses.
RJA
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
Oh how I wish I had a tip for Police, this brought tears to my eyes. (not for a $500.00 reward) I wouldn't accept it! Thanks to the driver that found them, thanks to the HVHS for trying to save them. This henious crime is about the worst I have heard of. Dog fights are terrible, but this is more than just cruelty. Hoping this person ( I hate useing the word person) is found soon, and goes where he should go. Can't say anymore, for fear my comment won't be posted.
Ellen
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
oh my gosh. that is horrifying. Like someone else mentioned, I sure hope children in the area are safe. What a psychopath. I hope they catch the jerk. To the owners of these dogs - I am so very sorry, I cannot even imagine what you're going through. Our pets are our children. My sincere condolences.
Redheat
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
Not only do they need to find this person to prosecute them for this horrendous act, but they need to find them because this is a possible serial killer in the making. For someone to possess this much cruelty it may not be long before the escalate onto something bigger.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
Sounds like another psychopath in training is loose
snoopjane
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
How those people can live with themselves I will never know. It just makes me want to believe in Karma....
jns131
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
O karma will get them in the end. That hatchet is just waiting down the road to get em. An eye for an eye I always say. Wow, 72 comments on this one article.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
Until this person is caught i'd keep an eye on the kids in this area. This person is defective.
ex734
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
Absolutely disgusting. Someone is deeply disturbed and should be under psychiatric monitoring. People, please keep your eyes open for people who may need help.
pbehjatnia
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
whoever did this needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent. how anyone could commit such a horrible act is just........