Miami

Humane Society Offering Reward in Animal Cruelty Case

A new reward is being offered after a dog was found with a horrific injury as a result of animal cruelty.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for abusing Ziggs, a one-year-old pitbull.

The dog was discovered roaming through Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, sragging a severed leash behind him. That leash was attached to a hooking carabiner that had been forcibly and intentionally inserted into the dog's leg.

Ziggs was rushed to Miami-Dade Animal Services, where staff veterinarians removed the metal clip. The dog was then rescued by Forgotten Dog Rescue, who took him to Dr. Al Meilan at South Federal Animal Hospital.

"The carabiner is a dull thing, so in order to get it, they had to use a drill or something sharp to make the hole first, and then stick the carabiner through his leg," Dr. Meilan said.

Members of the Forgotten Dog Rescue believe the dog's owners used the carabiner to restrain the dog.

"Someone actually went out of their way to do this to this dog," said Amy Blitz with the rescue group. "It ranks on the mutilation type of torture."

Meilan said it appears the ring had been lodged in Ziggs' leg for several months, with evidence of similar injuries in the past.

Alex Muñoz with Miami-Dade Animal Services said the department is actively investigating the crime.

“All pets are very important to us and have a right to be treated with kindness and respect. Acts such as this cannot be tolerated,” said Muñoz. “We urge anyone with information to come forward to assist us in identifying the responsible party.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Animal Services Department Investigations Unit at (305) 418-7184.

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