Reward increased in animal cruelty case

The reward offered in a recent dog cruelty case has increased to $5,000, thanks to a contribution from the Humane Society of the United States.

The money will be paid out for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the torture and killing of a tan female shepherd mix. The dog's body was found June 1 on a canal bank at County 10-1/2 Street and Avenue G.

Local donors previously contributed $2,500 toward a reward.

No leads have turned up in the investigation, said Elkie Wills, spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Yuma, on Friday.

A Border Patrol agent found the dog with baling wire wrapped around its neck. The dog had been sodomized with a crutch, the Humane Society of Yuma said previously.

The Yuma County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Humane Society of Yuma, 782-1621, or the sheriff's office, 783-4427.