The reward for information leading to the identity of the person or persons who brutalized Lady, a family dog in Grenada on June 24, has been increased.
Cole and Selby Turner’s dog, Lady, a Labrador/Blue Queensland Heeler mix, went missing for two days earlier this summer and once found, it was discovered that she had been attacked so severely, the couple had to put her down.
In Defense of Animals was able to raise the reward for information leading to Lady’s aggressors from $500 to $2,500, thanks to two local men who wish to remain anonymous.
“In Defense of Animals and two local men have added more funds for the reward,” In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley said. “These two Grenadians, who wish to remain anonymous, added to the reward to help find who did this to Lady.”
The Turners sought care at Veterinary Associates where Dr. Ann Reece found numerous issues and immediately called Mississippi State University School of Veterinary Medicine where they told the Turner’s to bring her in. Lady suffered internal injuries and severe rectal trauma after a 10-inch stick was pulled from Lady’s rectum. Even with extensive treatment, Lady would not recover.
“She had air in her abdomen where there shouldn’t be air,” Turner said. “Her bowels were completely lacerated and she had so much internal damage that the surgery would cost us anywhere from $5,000-$7,000. Even after the surgery, she would have issues going to the bathroom and would just have no fair chance at life. The best option was to put her down. I felt so bad for her, but I knew this was for the best.”
As of Friday Aug. 5, no new leads or tips had been called in regarding information pertaining to the attack.
According to the Turner’s, Lady’s size and power could have stopped a single assailant from harming her. The abuse she suffered would likely have required two or more aggressors in the vicious act.
“I’m going to be honest with you, I think these were probably kids, and if they have told their friends, nothing has come of it,” Stanley said. “Sadly, in a lot of these cases, you won’t find out who did it, but it is so important that the community knows that this has happened.”
With the passage of Buddy’s Law on July 1, youth 12 years and under are mandated psychiatric evaluation and counseling at the expense of their guardians.
“Keep in mind, that now it’s not just that there are criminal laws against animal cruelty, but it’s also juveniles 12 and under that can be ordered psychiatric care and evaluation at the expense of their parents,” Stanley said.
Stanley added that the cruelty to Lady escapes the mandates of Buddy’s Law as the law was not in effect at the time of her death, but action can be taken to expose her violators and work within the family unit to get needed help.
Anyone with information leading to the person or persons who harmed Lady can anonymously contact the In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign office at (662) 809-4483.
