$5,500 Reward Offered for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of Coyote Pup Torturer

Posted on August 6, 2014

For immediate release:
Contact:
Lisa Franzetta, ALDF
Megan Backus, ALDF
SANTA MARIA, Calif. — The national nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is offering a $2,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s) who tied and tortured a six pound female coyote pup in Santa Maria, Calif. According to media reports, the pup was spotted last Thursday, July 31^st by a plumber who saw her tied to a post in an alley. Starving and severely dehydrated, her jaw was also broken and she had puncture wounds on her neck. Electrical cord was wrapped tightly around her neck and arms—the puncture wounds match the ends of the cable pieces and preliminary investigations suggest the animal may have been tortured.

A good Samaritan brought the coyote pup to Animal Control in Santa Maria, and that’s where local rescuers stepped in to help. Julie Di Sieno, of Animal Rescue Team Inc. rushed the pup, who was barely breathing, to the Solvang Veterinary Hospital, where Dr. Macveigh initiated life-saving efforts and removing the maggots from the coyote’s rotting wounds.
Under California Penal Code § 597(a), anyone who “maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal” can face misdemeanor charges—one year in county lockup and/or a $20,000 fine—or felony charges amounting to up to three years in county jail and/or a $20,000 fine.
The Animal Rescue Team is offering a $3,000 reward, for a total of $5,500 with the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s reward offer. Funds are sought to pay for the coyote’s surgery.
“Although we are relieved such good care is being given to ease the tremendous suffering of this coyote pup, there is a dangerous animal abuser on the streets who needs to be brought to justice,” says Stephen Wells, ALDF executive director. “We call on anyone with knowledge of this horrific act to come forward for the safety of other animals and the people of this community.”
If you have information relating to the identity of the person or persons who mutilated this coyote, please contact the Animal Legal Defense Fund at 707-795-2533, x 1010.