Dog hanged from tree
Buffalo, NY (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Dec 17, 2006
County: Erie
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Buffalo police said they are looking for a teenager they believe killed a pet dog on Dec 17 evening by hanging it from a tree in South Buffalo's Valley neighborhood.
The Jack Russell terrier, named Max, was found hanging in a wooded area at the foot of Smith Street, near South Park Avenue.
A leash had been tied around his neck, a rope was attached to a limb on the tree, and Max was hanging from the tree limb.
Animal control officer Charles Loubert Sr., who responded to the scene, said it appeared the dog died from being hung.
"I've got to be honest with you. I had tears in my eyes when I got there," said Loubert. "I had to break the limb to get him down . . . The people that did this are sick, sick people."
Loubert said he suspects the dog was stolen from his owner and the thief is behind this extreme case of animal brutality.
"The worst thing about this is that it's someone's dog," said Loubert. "And it's the holidays. How could someone be so heartless to do something like this? It's scary."
At about 5 p.m., a husband and wife walking their dog near Smith Street noticed a young man hanging a dog on a tree and called 911.
The young man, who rode away on his bike, was described as 16 to 19 years old, wearing camouflage. A second man, about the same age, also was spotted at the crime scene.
South District police Chief James P. Shea said police are trying to track down the man and the dog's registered owner.
The dog was wearing a tag with his name, Max, and also had a rabies tag that was registered to a veterinarian in Lackawanna.
Max was described as about 11/2 years old, with a short tail and brown, black and white fur.
"Once the owner is identified, I'll go out and notify them," said Shea. "It's going to be tough to do - especially around Christmas.
"This is very disturbing. Even though it's not a human life, we take animal cruelty very seriously."
Shea said there was no apparent reason or motivation for the killing.
Loubert said he is hoping the owner is found so they can find some sort of closure. The dog's remains are being preserved at the Buffalo Animal Shelter, 380 Oak St., so that the owner can bury him.
"People love their dogs," said Loubert. "This dog was healthy and well cared for. If this is someone's dog, we want them to know that we have their dog . . . It just breaks my heart because I have dogs of my own."
Anyone with information is being asked to call the Animal Shelter at 851-5694 or the South District police station at 851-4415.
Case UpdatesConcerns about animal abuse are renewed in the shocking hanging of a little dog in Buffalo we first told you about back in December. No arrest has been made in the case yet, but a small group of animal lovers paid respects to the dog -- holding an unusual funeral service in West Seneca.
Not much is known about the little dog's life...but the story of his death has tugged on heart strings across Western New York. "When we heard about this case we decided that we would take care of giving Max back his dignity," said Nancy Greene, President of Citizens for Humane Treatment of Animals.
The dog was found hanging by a rope in a tree off of Smith Street in Buffalo four months ago...the name "Max" stitched on his collar. "So that's how we know his name is Max. So he must've had a family but nobody called and nobody came for him."
With a horse leading the way, Max's body was taken to his final resting place at the Pine Rest Pet Cemetery. Animals buried at the cemetery all had loving families. Now members of 'CHAT,'... Citizens for Humane Animal Treatment...have adopted Max as their own. Connie Smith cried as she stood by Max's grave site. "You did not deserve what you got. You gave all your love and were abused in return. That's not right. That's not right."
And as they prayed for Max.. they prayed for an end to animal cruelty. "You don't do this. Animals have feelings. I don't care if it's a dog, a cat, an elephant, a giraffe. They have feelings. They have souls and you look into their eyes. You can see it."
Another caring pet owner looks on... as Max is gently lowered into the ground. Then one last goodbye...to a dog they never knew...but love as if they did.
Max's body was just released Thursday by the Erie County District Attorney's office. While investigators have a person of interest in Max's killing, there's just not enough evidence... so it's unlikely an arrest will ever be made. | Source: WKBW - April 13, 2007
Update posted on Apr 15, 2007 - 5:19PM |
District Police Chief James P. Shea said police are making progress in a Dec. 17 animal cruelty case that outraged residents of the Valley neighborhood.
Investigators are pursuing "a strong lead" in connection with the killing of a Jack Russell terrier named Max that was killed by hanging it from a tree off Smith Street near South Park Avenue.
A teenage boy who lives in the area is sought for questioning in that incident, Shea said. Police believe the dog was stolen from its owner in Lackawanna.
"If this juvenile, or anyone who knows him, comes forward with information, it might be best for everyone," the police supervisor said. "We're asking that anyone with information about this case call our district office at 851-4415." | Source: Buffalo News - Jan 17, 2007
Update posted on Jan 21, 2007 - 10:51PM |
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