Skinned dog reward money remains

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Like the Sheriff’s investigation into the matter, a reward offered to help find the perpetrator of an alleged attack on a South Vinemont family’s pet beagle is being kept alive despite a forensics expert’s conclusion that the dog’s mutilation was not caused by human hands.

Linda Morgan, president of the Cullman Area Animal Welfare Association, said approximately $35,000 has been either donated or pledged to the cause.

Sheriff Tyler Roden announced at a Dec. 17 press conference the conclusion of George D’Andreas, an animal pathologist for the Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Center at Auburn University.

“Dr. D’Andreas was quite clear that it is extraordinary low probability that this was done by a malicious act of another person,” Roden said.

Morgan said none of the contributors asked the have their donations returned following the release of the findings in which D’Andreas reported his suspicion the dog’s injuries were caused by some type of machinery.

“I think the general consensus is no one believes it — With all due respect to Auburn and that particular vet,” Morgan said.

The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals each donated $2,500 to the cause. Another animal organization — Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation — chipped in $1,000.

The largest contributor, Morgan said, was from an individual.

“Someone in Birmingham wrote the Sheriff a check for $20,000,” she said.

An additional $9,000 was put into the “Justice for Anne” account at Merchant’s Bank.

Morgan said anyone who wrote a check for that fund would be allowed a refund if requested. However, she said the group can not refund cash donations. “There’s no way we can track that.”

Neal Rodgers, the owner of the beagle, found the three-year-old dog in a condition that led him to believe the dog had been run over by a car on Nov. 18.

On closer inspection, Neal concluded the dog had been skinned.

Another beagle belonging to the Rodgers, Buttercup, also was injured on Nov. 18. The dog was discovered with minor lacerations around the neck and shoulder.

Rodgers and his wife, Janet, took their dogs to Bruce Lee’s veterinary clinic, where Anne had to be euthanized due to severe trauma and a lack of skin for grafts.

Both Lee and Janet expressed disbelief when the forensics report on the dog was released.

“I felt then there was a suspicion of foul play and I always will,” Lee said.

Janet said, “There is just no way anyone can make me believe it was done with a machine.”

Morgan said she has become further convinced that equipment didn’t cause the injuries after speaking with area farmers about the matter.

“Even the farmers don’t believe it,” Morgan said. “These are people who work with this equipment. If anybody knows, they should.”

If the reward money is never used to find the dog’s attackers, Morgan said the funds will be used for future animal cruelty cases.

“I’m sure this isn’t going to be the last one,” Morgan said.