Animal Legal Defense Fund Offers $5,000 Reward in Case of German Shepherd Shot to Death, Left in Ditch

For immediate release

Contact:

media@aldf.org

Lafayette County, WI — 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 shooting and killing a German Shepherd named “Bo.” Officials reported that the dog was found shot dead in a ditch on Cannon Road near Buckwheat Ridge Road on February 24, 2016, two weeks after Bo went missing from his Darlington home.

According to Bo’s family, a veterinary examination revealed that Bo had been deceased for approximately 12 to 48 hours when he was found by authorities. Local media is reporting that a number of dogs have gone missing in southwest Wisconsin in recent weeks, rattling the community.

Under Wisconsin law, any person who treats any animal, including dogs, in a cruel manner resulting in death commits a Class I felony and may be imprisoned up to three years and six months, and/or fined up to $10,000. Additional charges could include dognapping—committed when a person takes a dog from one place to another without the owner’s consent. Dognapping is a Class A misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to nine months imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.

“This brutal act of cruelty to a defenseless, beloved dog shows what a serious danger this perpetrator poses to the community,” says Stephen Wells, ALDF executive director. “Bo deserves justice, and we hope anyone who has any information about this heinous killing will come forward to help catch this violent offender—and to save other pets from such a tragic fate.”

Psychiatric and criminological research has established a clear link between cruelty to animals and a host of other violent behaviors toward people.

If you have information related to this incident, please contact Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office at 608-776-4870.