$5,000 Reward Offered for Information After Dog Found Trapped in Leghold Trap

Contact: media@aldf.org

HOT SPRING COUNTY, AR — The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the nation’s preeminent legal advocacy organization for animals, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for setting an unmarked steel leghold trap that left a dog severely injured, requiring the amputation of her leg. 

On Feb. 2, 2025, an investigator from the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a black-and-white dog, later named Willow, who had been seen wandering near Military Cutoff Road in Malvern, Hot Spring County, Arkansas, with a steel leghold trap attached to her leg. For nearly two weeks, local authorities, rescue organizations, and volunteers worked tirelessly to safely capture Willow to administer aid. On Feb. 13, 2025, Willow was rescued — emaciated, lethargic, and suffering from a severe leg injury. Willow was transported to a local animal hospital where she received medical treatment. However, due to the severity of her leg wound, her leg had to be amputated the following day. She is now recovering in the care of volunteers, who are working to find her a loving home.  

“The cruelty Willow endured is truly unimaginable,” said ALDF Criminal Justice Program Fellow Maggie Marshall. “We’re hopeful that this reward will encourage those with information to step forward, helping to prevent any other animal from experiencing the same suffering Willow went through.”  

The person or people responsible for setting the trap remain unknown, as it was unmarked. Arkansas requires that traps, including snares, “must have either the trapper’s name and address, their driver’s license number, their vehicle license plate number or customer ID number.” This incident is currently under investigation by the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office. Under Arkansas law, an individual commits animal cruelty when they knowingly subject any animal to cruel mistreatment, and commits aggravated cruelty when they knowingly torture a dog, cat, or equine.    

“The Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person or persons responsible for placing this trap along the east end of the Military Cutoff Road in early February 2025,” said Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Glen Pye. “The trap has no identification as required by law and was set in such a manner that a neighborhood dog was injured. The trap shattered the dog’s leg resulting in a vet bill of almost $1,000.00. Please telephone the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office at (501) 337-7738 with information pertaining to this incident.” 

If you have information related to this incident, please contact the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office at 501-337-7738. You may include your contact information for follow-up or leave an anonymous tip.