A man suspected of shooting, abandoning and leaving a dog to die off an embankment on a forest service road in the North Bend area on May 31, turned himself in to police.
Details of the case are still being investigated, and the name of the suspect is not being released at this time. He was questioned and released pending charges being filed in the case.
The suspect reportedly admitted that he attempted to kill the dog after experiencing behavioral problems with the animal, and felt that he did not have enough money to pay for a proper euthanasia service from a veterinarian.
King County Animal Care and Control received 11 credible tips from the public on their tip line about this case after requesting information from the public on Thursday morning. An Animal Control Officer is currently interviewing witnesses in East King County to collect evidence that will assist with bringing charges in this case. It is a class C felony to intentionally shoot a dog and leave it to suffer, which carries a maximum $10,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.
Once a conviction is made in the case, disbursement of the $2,500 reward from the Humane Society of the United States or the $10,000 reward from Pasado’s Safe Haven will be determined.
“We will press charges in this case,” said King County Animal Care and Control Interim Manager Nancy McKenney. “Tragedies like this can be avoided if pet owners realize there are options like low-cost obedience classes and dog training from organizations across the region that can assist with behavioral problems. They can also always surrender an animal to King County Animal Care and Control and let us work with our volunteers and partners to get training for the dog and help it find a better home. If your pet is licensed, we will even arrange to pick the pet up for you. There are always other options.”
Since early 2008, one sergeant at King County Animal Care and Control has been assigned to work primarily on animal cruelty cases. Income from pet license sales provides the primary revenue source needed for this important effort, as it has been used to revamp King County’s animal cruelty investigations. In 2008, the number of animal cruelty investigations passed to prosecutors increased by more than 300 percent.
“We want to thank the public for their assistance in this case,” McKenney said. “We take cruelty and neglect very seriously, and we are grateful that the public’s help has made it possible for us to move ahead and press charges in this case.”
