Animal Legal Defense Fund Offers $5,000 Reward to Dog Neglect Case in Sonoma County

For immediate release:

Contact: media@aldf.org

Sonoma County, California – The national non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is contributing $5,000 to a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for abandoning a severely neglected English bulldog nicknamed “Gus.” Sonoma County Animal Control officers discovered Gus in a crate hidden in the bushes at Sonoma County Animal Services in the early morning hours of October 1, 2015, and were overwhelmed by the odor of infection when they approached Gus. Despite receiving immediate care from shelter staff, Gus passed away from the severity of his condition: He was extremely emaciated, full of maggots, covered in fleas, and suffered from a large necrotic wound between his legs.

Security camera footage at Sonoma County Animal Services showed that Gus was abandoned at the site, 1247 Century Court in Santa Rosa, at approximately 10 P.M. on September 30, 2015.

Under California law, a person who deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, or who subjects any animal in that person’s charge or custody to needless suffering, commits animal cruelty and may be charged with either a felony—up to three years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine—or a misdemeanor—up to one year imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine.

“Our hearts break for this dog, who suffered from starvation and untreated infection until his death,” says Stephen Wells, ALDF executive director. “Animal neglect is a serious crime, and we urge anyone who has any information about this case to come forward and help get justice for Gus.”

If you have information related to this incident, please contact Sonoma County Animal Services at 707-565-7100.

ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. For more information, please visit aldf.org.