Dog found dead with mouth taped shut

The SPCA announced Friday that it is offering $5,000 as a reward to any individual who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s) who has allegedly taped a dog's mouth shut in Kaufman County.

The dog was already deceased when it was found. The dog's body was transported to the SPCA of Texas' Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in west Dallas, where a veterinarian will perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death. Kaufman County officials have initiated a criminal investigation in this case.

Anyone with information should contact the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department at 972-932-4337.

“There is a well-documented link between animal cruelty and human violence.” said SPCA of Texas President James Bias. “Helping the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department bring the person or people who did this to justice will help stop the cycle of abuse.”

The SPCA of Texas points out that animal cruelty is often an early warning sign of violent tendencies that will be acted out against people. Childhood cruelty to animals has been linked to later antisocial and aggressive behavior in several retrospective studies.

The SPCA of Texas is committed to stopping this cycle through maintaining an active Rescue and Investigations team, that responds to reports of abuse and neglect in eight north Texas counties, through lobbying the Texas legislature to strengthen animal cruelty laws, by encouraging the community to get involved in their local and state government to advocate for animals, and by encouraging individuals to report all suspected animal cruelty to their local law enforcement agency and the SPCA of Texas.

To report suspected cruelty or abuse to the SPCA of Texas, call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org/abuse.

The SPCA of Texas will do everything in its power to assist law enforcement, as they work with prosecutors to take this specific case as far as possible under state law, and bring this individual(s) to justice.

The SPCA of Texas is the leading animal welfare agency in North Texas. The non-profit organization operates two shelters and three spay/neuter clinics, located in Dallas and McKinney, and maintains a team of five animal-cruelty investigators to respond to thousands of calls in eight north Texas counties.

Moreover, the SPCA of Texas serves as an active resource center for an array of services that bring people and animals together to enrich each others’ lives. The SPCA of Texas is not affiliated with any other entity, and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other humane organization.

The SPCA of Texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home. For more information, visit www.spca.org.