The Oregon Humane Society is now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of a dog found in the Clackamas River near the Carver Bridge. The original award of $500 was boosted to $1,000 thanks to contributions from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
“We’ve had an outpouring of concern over this case, and I want to thank ALDF and HSUS for their support,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS president and CEO. Harmon urged others who want to support the investigation to make a gift directly to OHS, which relies entirely on private donations. Donations can be made online at: www.oregonhumane.org/donate.
The deceased dog, a Chihuahua, was found locked inside a plastic pet carrier that was submerged in water near the Carver Park boat ramp. The body of the dog was found by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at 11:00 am on Monday, Dec. 18. The pet carrier is believed to have been placed in the water from the boat ramp or from Carver Bridge, which crosses the river at Springwater Road in Carver.
The dog was a young female short-haired Chihuahua, not spayed, who seemed to be in good health and to be well groomed. The dog has brown fur with black markings and a black muzzle. She wore a collar, but had no ID tag or microchip. The dog appeared to be recently deceased.
Under Oregon law, a person who maliciously kills an animal can be found guilty of a felony crime. The investigation into the dog’s death is a joint partnership between OHS, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas County Dog Services. Anyone with knowledge of the incident, the owner of the dog, or who witnessed suspicious activity on the bridge or boat ramp on or before Dec. 18 should contact the OHS Investigations Department, (503) 285-7722 ext. 214. Information also can be reported online at: www.oregonhumane.org/report-cruelty.
OHS Humane Special Agents are commissioned by the Oregon State Police to enforce animal cruelty laws throughout the state.
