New Case of Animal Abuse in PA Leaves 2 Dogs Shot Dead

by LCoastMom | October 28, 2009 at 09:32 pm

618 views | 5 Recommendations | add comment

The Chester Co, PA ASPC is asking for help from the public, while searching for the person or persons who are responsible for the shooting death of two young dogs, belonging to a local resident.

Early Sunday, a report was taken by the ASPC, of 1 1/2 year old Emma, a purebred German shorthaired pointer and 2 year old Luna, a German shorthaired pointer, mix. Both reported missing from a large family farm on Wawaset Road, in Pocopson Township, PA.

Rich Britton, a spokesman for the Chester County SPCA, said Tuesday. The family pets, who normally had the run of the 100 acre farm, were last seen at 3 PM Saturday. When they weren't waiting for breakfast first thing Sunday morning, the owner placed a report that they were missing.

Several hours later, Joanne Durfee, a Township woman walking in the woods near Brintons Bridge Road, said she found the dogs laying tail to tail, with their back to the railroad track. She said she knew at once something was very wrong, "They were deliberately posed and laid very carefully in a position, as if part of some ritual."

"They had both been shot execution style, between the eyes", according to Police Officer Cheryl Shaw; LEO for ASPC. They were shot with a small caliber gun. Then brought to the tracks, along the Brandywine Creek in Pennsbury. Just 3 miles or so from their home. "It appears they were shot somewhere else and brought to this location," Shaw said; "Awful. Inhumane. I don't know how anybody could do that."

The dogs matched the description the owner provided to authorities; according to Richard Britton. And were later identified as the missing dogs. The owners have not been identified publicly, but are not concidered suspects.

Conrad E. Muhly, SPCA's board president said; "The Chester SPCA, is once again asking for your help. This time in looking for the owner of a red or maroon Ford F-150 pickup truck, seen Sunday by neighbors, in the area shortly before the gruesome discovery was made. The truck was parked with flashers on, along Brintons Bridge Road. The description also matches a vehicle seen in the area where the dogs where last seen on Saturday. At the early morning conference today, he asked for anyone with with any information to call the ASPC and he revealed the reward had grown from $500. to $5,000. Overnight!

Muhly also said, The ASPC has three officers working on the case. "We're absolutely committed to getting to the bottom of this." The office is offering a reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Please contact the Chester County SPCA at 610-692-6113.

Richard Britton said the maximum penalty for the crime, misdemeanor animal cruelty, is two years in prison and a $1,000 fine. Maybe it's time to pull the Use A Gun laws out of moth balls. Harsh penalties for abuse is a must! The misdemeanor charges for a crime causing death is an embarrassment. Why bother? "Such a penalty is insufficient in this case," said Melissa Morrill, the assistant horse trainer at Bent Brook Farm, less than a half-mile from where the dogs were found. These two helpless dogs were executed. Someone went to the trouble of first stealing the dogs and then putting a bullet into their brains! And then posing them, very possibly in broad daylight! These are not watch dogs, these dogs are sweet natured. Bred to be a families pets!!

Tonight just hours after announcing the $5,000 reward; Richard Britton, spokesman of the Chester County SPCA. said, "These are two sweet dogs, they don't deserve this kind of finish." He had described Luna as, "a very special dog with a good temperament," who the family had owned, since she was 8 weeks old. Emma came to the farm a year ago, as a six month old puppy and was "very close with Luna." Then he announced, the reward had grown to $11.000.00 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the crime. Anyone with information should call 610-692-6113, Ext. 213.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7086836

Contact the Chester County SPCA at 610-692-6113.

If you have any information about this case of Emma and Luna please contact the Chester County SPCA by phone at 610-692-6113, ext. 213 or by email ataps@ccspca.org. All information is confidential.