Investigators haven't had much luck in finding the culprit responsible for decapitating a cockapoo found Thursday in a field across from Martin Middle School on Greenwood Drive, but a former FBI agent said it was likely at least two youths.
"We have no information on the suspects," said Police Lt. Raymond Lara. "With a cold case like this we are just hoping someone will come forward."
Clint Van Zandt, a former FBI criminal profiler in Virginia, said he didn't know the case, but from what he heard, it sounded like the suspects could be juveniles. He said they may have done it because it was a wild thing to do or possibly someone dabbling in cult activities.
"That doesn't mean you have hundreds of people walking around in red robes," he said. "It could mean you have two kids with a book."
Van Zandt was an FBI agent for 25 years, working as a supervisor in the FBI's internationally renowned Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., and as the FBI's chief hostage negotiator. His analytical team helped identify the Unabomer, and he was credited with accurately profiling Oklahoma City federal building bomber Timothy McVeigh.
Van Zandt said that this type of behavior does not necessarily mean the person doing it is a serial killer in the making.
"Not every serial killer abuses animals and not every one that abuses animals is a serial killer," he said. "The community should be appalled but not frightened."
Van Zandt said the best hope investigators have is that the suspects won't be able to keep their secret.
"This is not something that, by in large, a person does by themselves and keeps it a secret," he said.
Lucky, the cockapoo, had been reported missing to the Lost Pet Hotline on Aug. 19 and residents who live near Lawton Street told Sherry Dunlap and Cheryl Quinones they had seen Lucky loose several days before he was found in the middle of the field.
Authorities said the dog's head still has not been found.
In addition to the $2,500 reward offered by The HSUS, $1,500 has been donated to the reward fund by the Corpus Christi Animal Rights Effort, and $3,700 has been donated by private citizens. The current reward total is $7,700.
"The minute I saw it I thought, 'I'm getting a hold of (CCARE) and try to kick up that reward so someone will come forward,' " Edwards said. "I just think the kids that do this sort of thing are sick and they need help. To take an innocent little animal that is so helpless when its feet are tied together. I just can't understand it; it's just beyond me."
Edwards said she hopes that if someone is caught, counseling will be provided for them.
A.J. Hernandez, animal care field supervisor for the city of Corpus Christi, urged people to call proper authorities if they see something similar happening. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top If you have information on this case, please contact:
Corpus Christi Police Department
(361) 886-2600
References« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
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