UPDATE: Tammy Green Douglas from Weatherford was arrested for Cruelty to Non Livestock Animals on May 31. She confessed to killing her own dog on her property, then moving the dog with her puppies in a crate. A tip led to her arrest.
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A wrenching tale of animal cruelty in Parker County, Texas, has drawn national attention and rewards of up to $5,000. The Humane Society of the United States is offering the reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting a mother dog in the head and locking her dead body in a crate with 10 nursing puppies.
According to the Parker County Sheriff's Animal Control Division and Criminal Investigation Division, the cage was found on a road in Springtown by a school bus driver who discovered the dog and puppies while on the morning route. The mother, a 3-year-old red shepherd mix, had a gunshot wound to the head. The puppies were covered in their mother's blood, according to a release from animal control supervisor Karen Kessler.
"The mother was obviously malnourished and should have weighed at least 50 pounds," Kessler said. The dog weighed only 35 pounds.
"Parker County does not have an animal problem," said Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler. "We have a people problem. It's hard to imagine that someone would be so cruel as to execute any animal, but to kill a dog with nursing babies, and leave such a gory picture, is beyond human imagination."
Crime Stoppers offered up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or indictment of a suspect. The Humane Society followed up with its bigger stake on May 30.
"A person capable of harming an animal in this way is a threat to the entire community," said Texas state director Katie Jarl. "This $5,000 reward sends a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Parker County, and the HSUS encourages anyone with information on this case to come forward and aid Sheriff Fowler with his investigation."
The puppies — seven females and three males — were released to the care of Angels & Outlaws 2nd Chance Bully Ranch in Hico.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 817-594-8845 or Parker County Crime Stoppers at 817-599-5555.
Cardboard from the bottom of the crate might provide clues in Parker County animal cruelty case.
