Reward For Information Increased After Dead Dogs Found In Beaver Co.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A reward is being offered after 15 to 20 dogs were found dead in Hopewell Township earlier this week.
The discovery was made in a 50-yard stretch along the Ohio River at Woodlawn Street, just south of the Aliquippa-Ambridge Bridge, in Hopewell Township.
A man walking down by the river was the first one who spotted the remains.
Initially, the Beaver County Humane Society was offering a $250 reward for information leading to an arrest. However, private donations have upped the total to $1,200.
Today, PETA announced they were contributing another $2,500 to the reward fund.
"We have had a lot of support from the public. They have really come through. People are very emotional...very concerned," Susan Salyards with the Beaver County Humane Society said,
Officials had earlier said they believed the remains were from five dogs, but later said it appeared to be from 15 to 20 dogs.
"Due to the number of dogs we're dealing with here, I think somebody out there probably has an idea of what went on here, and if there is anybody who has information that could help us with the investigation to contact either the Hopewell Police or the Humane Society in Beaver County," Hopewell Township Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher said.
The remains are at the shelter with necropsies scheduled to be performed early next week. Salyards said after that's done, the details of how the animals died, and how long they'd been there will come to light.
"They were in varying states of decay and that is really what the necropsies will determine," Salyards said.
The Beaver County Humane Society said the investigation is ongoing and they can't release any info that would jeopardize the case. However, the remains and the location where they were found, were scanned and no microchip information was found.
Earlier this month, several dogs were found dead near a drain pipe in Clearfield Township, Butler County, and at least two of the dogs had been shot.
At this point a vigil is being organized for the dogs. The details have not been finalized just yet.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Humane Society at (724)-775-5801 ext. 110 or the Hopewell Township Police Dept.
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