Second unexplained dog shooting under investigation

A second recent case of animal cruelty was uncovered in the Yuma area when a dog was found to have been shot to death on June 24, according to the Humane Society of Yuma.

Border Patrol agents found the dead dog at County 73/4 Street and Levee Road and alerted humane society animal control officers, an HSOY news release said.

Animal control officers discovered the tan chow mix had been shot at least one time in the head, and an x-ray done at a Yuma veterinary clinic found a bullet had fragmented inside the dog's skull.

There has been no update on this incident, Shanen Aranmor, humane society director of development, said Monday.

"We just put out the press release on Friday and we're hoping media attention will lead to further information," Aranmor said.

In April, another dog was found shot to death in 15800 block of South Rincon De Espana in Somerton. According to a previously published story in the Yuma Sun, the owner of the dog, named Blue, found her pet outside the fence of her residence with blood covering his body. The owner reported hearing four gun shots earlier in the evening, but did not hear any vehicles in the vicinity or see any suspects.

Aranmor said at this point the humane society would not be able to speculate whether the two cases are linked, adding, "but I hoped they would not."

Following the April shooting, the Humane Society of the United States, which is not affiliated with HSOY, offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. The Yuma County Sheriff's Office is requesting any witnesses in that case to come forward with additional information.

Kari Nienstedt, HSUS Arizona state director, noted her office was contacted after the first shooting and decided to help. Research has shown that animal cruelty occurs in tandem with family violence and other acts of aggression, she added.

"We need to make sure that animal cruelty is taken seriously by law enforcement. We know that that people who abuse animals can be capable of hurting people as well."

She said there is additional research showing a link between animal cruelty and human violence even if there is not a definitive cause and effect between the two behaviors.

HSOY has retained the deceased animal's corpse and is seeking further information, the release said. At this time suspects are unknown and there have been no witnesses who have come forward.

An investigation is ongoing and anybody with information in the case is asked to call the humane scoiety at 782-1621, Extension 106.

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William Roller can be reached at
wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.