WATSONVILLE—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who poisoned two dogs in a residential backyard in Watsonville.
PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch said the dogs—named Bruno and Luna—died “in agony” after the incident on Primrose Lane on Oct. 25.
“While nothing can bring these dogs back, we can still stop this culprit from striking again, so PETA urges anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately,” she said in a prepared statement.
According to Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Field Services Supervisor Todd Stosuy, the suspect climbed over the backyard fence where the dogs—both German Shepherds—lived, and left a trail of Metaldehyde, a slug bait so toxic it is banned in the United Kingdom for the danger it poses to animals.
One dog died in its owner’s arms, and the other one died the next day at a veterinary hospital, Stosuy said.
If arrested, the suspect could face animal cruelty charges under Penal Code 597 that could bring at least three years in prison.
Stosuy said he hopes the reward will prompt someone to call.
It is not clear why the suspect poisoned the dogs, and the owners have not had any quarrels with neighbors that would have prompted such an action, he said.
He added that most disputes involving dogs stem from noise complaints, a situation with which animal control officers can help.
Primrose Lane is a dirt road that stems off of Green Valley Road in a rural setting. It is sprinkled with several homes and agricultural fields just a few hundred yards from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Mesa Village substation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Stosuy at 454.7254 or [email protected]