CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A reward of $5,000 has now been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the gruesome death of a dog in Kanawha County.
The case touched a nerve among animal lovers and the general public this week. The dog, a family pet named Maliki, had to be put down Tuesday when someone cut off its front paws. The incident happened in the Jefferson community of Kanawha County.
Sheriff’s deputies took the dog to a veterinary care facility where its prognosis was determined to be terminal and the dog was euthanized. Now deputies are investigating and those responsible could be facing charges of animal cruelty.
Investigators say initially they considered the injuries might be a result an encounter with farm machinery or a train. However, the theory was ruled out after a vet’s examination of the dog’s injuries determined that was not the case.
The reward is being offered by the Humane Society of the United States. Anyone with information can contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department at 304-357-0169 or at www.kanawhasheriff.us