Experts: Skinned dog cases are rare

[RaVeN71806]

BY LAURA LEGERE
STAFF WRITER
11/21/2007
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Five beaten and skinned dogs found in Wyoming and Lackawanna counties last week have startled national animal-cruelty experts who have called the cases both worrisome and rare.


Although many hundreds of domestic animals are violently killed in the country each year, the manner and number of the local deaths make them gruesome outliers.

“This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a string of skinning and mutilating domestic animals,” said Dale Bartlett, deputy manager for animal- cruelty issues at the Humane Society of the United States.

Two puppies and a female dog were found in an Eaton Township creek Nov. 12. Two more were found 30 miles away by a remote roadside in Fell Township on Nov. 16.

While local investigators can not definitively link the two sets of killings, officials have called them “more than a coincidence” because of common threads: All of the dogs appear to be the same, long-nosed breed, most likely Shetland sheepdogs. All of them died of hemorrhaging and blood loss before being skinned and discarded in remote but easily visible places. All were well cared for, with good diets and healthy muscles.

The idea of one being a copycat crime is also unlikely.

“People who do cruelty to animals are not usually copycat killers,” Humane Society of Lackawanna County officer Tina Walter said.

The fact all the dogs were skinned has led local investigators to worry the dogs’ hides are being harvested. Ms. Walter said she has received phone calls about people collecting dog skins in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“I wouldn’t say it was the only reason it was done,” she said. “But it has something to do with it.”

But both Mr. Bartlett and Martin Mersereau, supervisor of the cruelty casework division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said it is very unlikely the dogs are being killed for their hides. Mr. Bartlett said that although the fur of domesticated dogs has been mislabeled and sold as other types of fur, it has only happened in foreign markets.

Mr. Mersereau added there is no incentive to skin a dog for its pelt, since the relative impossibility of making money on it is coupled with the risk of jail time.

In Pennsylvania, each count of deadly animal cruelty carries a maximum two-year sentence and a minimum $1,000 fine.

For the Humane Society of Lackawanna County, which is handling both cases, the investigation is an ongoing and unusual challenge. Ms. Walter said about 80 percent of the calls the humane officers usually receive pertain to more passive forms of cruelty: animals left out in extreme temperatures, abandoned or not given adequate veterinary care.

So an investigation of two unusual cases of concerted violence can be arduous and slow.

“There’s only two of us,” Ms. Walter said about her team of officers. “We don’t have a whole force to investigate things.”

The Wyoming County district attorney’s office and state police are sharing resources with the humane society officers. The officers are using a police database to check if potential suspects have criminal records because they do not have one of their own. And even though they have arrest powers, they would need a police cruiser to bring a suspect in for questioning.

“We don’t have a (police) vehicle with us,” Ms. Walter said. “We have a van with the dog kennels in the back.”

Chad Weaver, a 10-year humane society officer who is now the director of branch adoptions with the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said even though advanced investigative tools, like DNA testing, are available to humane society officers, their expense often keeps them from being used.

“You can justify (the cost of processing forensic evidence) for a person, but it’s difficult to justify for a cat or dog,” he said.

Ms. Walter said she is considering using DNA testing, but her best resource remains community involvement and the hope a witness will come forward.

The reward for any information that leads to the arrest or conviction of the person or people responsible for the killings continues to grow. On Tuesday, two animal rights groups added to the fund. PETA contributed $1,000 and In Defense of Animals offered $2,500, bringing the total reward to $6,100.

If a suspect is convicted of the crimes, Mr. Mersereau said the punishment will be far less than what the killer would get in other regions of the country.

“Pennsylvania law is very behind the times,” he said. “In Pennsylvania, you can get a summary offense for doing the same thing that would get you jail time in other states.”

Mr. Bartlett said that although many Pennsylvania humane society officers like that they can deal with summary offenses efficiently, the available punishments can seem inadequate for particularly egregious crimes.

“The problem with it is you have horrendous crimes like this and there’s no appropriate remedy for them,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Tina Walter at 585-0510.

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com

I hope I posted this in the right place but I had to get this out because this the most horrible thing that I've read...such weaked minded people to hurt an animal or child...
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site...d=415898&rfi=6

[Grannynag58]

That's scary. Beaten and skinned while alive?

[RaVeN71806]

yeah...it is scary because now they our looking at person who may turn to hurting and killing a person..

[Jo_Momma_82]

Originally Posted by RaVeN71806

yeah...it is scary because now they our looking at person who may turn to hurting and killing a person..

Sounds like the same story that alot of serial killers tell about how they started to kill.

[KTScarlettOkity]

I was doing a little googling this AM on the links between killers and animal abuse in their earlier life. Many studies support this. But new information to me is that there are also new links being formed between animal abuse and child abuse. A recent study found that if a child is found to be abusing an animal, there is a likelihood that the child is in a home where child abuse is happening.

Clearly, animal abuse is a sign of bad things that have happened as well as bad things TOO happen.

http://www.animaltherapy.net/Bibliography-Link.html

[Bluefox]

Quote: All of them died of hemorrhaging and blood loss before being skinned and discarded in remote but easily visible places. All were well cared for, with good diets and healthy muscles.

As it says there, they died of hemorrhaging and blood loss before being skinned!

First, are there any reports of people's pets being stolen/missing?

Is it a very remote area where the dogs were found?

I can quite believe a recluse, living wild skinning defenceless animals to provide bedding, clothes, whatever. However i can't quite see such a person leaving the evidence so visible. As the animals died of blood loss, then there has to be at one wound. Cost would not be so high by doing a necropsy on one of them, to find out how and which weapon was used to kill them, or multiple wounds which would suggest something more in the way of cruelty etc etc. I also think the necropsy should be done with some haste, as it may have been done for a much more sinister reason. Leaving them in the open, might mean, 'look out, i'm just getting started'

I'm an animal lover, especially dogs, and i was shocked by this, i hope they find some answers.

[Tangerine]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Cost would not be so high by doing a necropsy on one of them

a necropsy runs about $100, but considering that finding a veterinarian who is trained to determine what type of weapons were used would be impossible, an ME would have to be consulted. that might drive the cost up quite a bit.

i think its quite possible that they were harvested for their pelts if they really are shelties. they are known for their beautiful coats.

i also am a dog lover; my livlihood depends on them. i, too, hope they find answers.

[LatrobeGirl]

Those poor dogs....I am an animal lover and hate to think of what this scumbag did to them.

I'm originally from Pennsylvania (Latrobe- near Pittsburgh)....I had no idea that Penna laws were so behind when it comes to animal cruelty. They need to fix this, and NOW.

I just hope they catch him soon....what if he is "practicing" on dogs to work his way up to humans?

[KTScarlettOkity]

SIDE NOTE!

Originally Posted by LatrobeGirl

I'm originally from Pennsylvania (Latrobe- near Pittsburgh)(

I was born & raised in PGH suburb of Forest Hills & graduated from Slippery Rock U. Nice to meet another PA native! (I moved to MI in the early 90's but still get back to several times a year to visit friends.) Cheers!

[RaVeN71806]

yeah theres still no updates yet on finding anyone I just don't want this to be an open and shut case...I really hope there doing homework here...

I haven't read yet if these dogs were stolen and from what I have read it was a very remote area and man who lives near the creek I believe found them...case's like these in Pennsylvania especially in scranton were I'm live our no surprise I have two full breed pugs and I'm like a hawk with the two of them when I let them out I stand by the door to make sure nothing happeneds to them and around halloween I never leave them outside by themselfs...we had a "cult" years back who were stealing people's pets and killing them...

[samanthajane13]

You have no idea how much this sickens me.

If I had the money, I'd pay for the necropsies myself, just so they could have the evidence they need to convict whoever did this.

And the cruel SOB should be glad that I live in Buffalo, New York. If this were happening here, I'd be out playing hide-and-watch with my crow-bar.

The cops would have to make a stop at the hospital before they could book the scum.

THIS is a fine example of why I work with PETA.

[awakening2lite]

for the dogs.

How shameful and sick this person must surely be to harm helpless animals in this horrid way.

Since no one has come forward about missing their dog, I'm thinking the person either owned them, or was passing thru town and lives elsewhere.

It would make me very nervous to have that happen where I live. Like, RaVeN71806, I keep a close eye on my doggies, especially at holloween. There's no shortage of crazies out there.

imo

[sharlock]

It sickens me that people do these things. When I was young one of my freinds older brothers (who was really creepy) skinned their pet cat because it ate some of his sandwich. He is married now with kids and a good job but I can never get that incident out of my head whenever he is spoken of. He first shot the cat with one of those big metal bow and arrow things( I am not sure what they are called). I still think about it and it happened about 20 years ago.

[RaVeN71806]

Originally Posted by sharlock

It sickens me that people do these things. When I was young one of my freinds older brothers (who was really creepy) skinned their pet cat because it ate some of his sandwich. He is married now with kids and a good job but I can never get that incident out of my head whenever he is spoken of. He first shot the cat with one of those big metal bow and arrow things( I am not sure what they are called). I still think about it and it happened about 20 years ago.

Thats so sad...I had a neighbor who shot my cat with a beebee gun in her back leg...we couldn't do anything about it though because we didn't see him actually do it...but we know his mother use to throw soup cans at her because she used to chase the birds by her house..I told her if I ever catch her doing it I'd beam her right in the head with can..my cat was ok after the fact she had wear a cast for a couple weeks...

[KTScarlettOkity]

Raven~ What a shame you have/had to live near someone so cruel. I have 2 cats (both rescues) and if someone hurt them, I know my husband would be posting bail after I was charged with assault. My munchkins are solely indoor cats, so thankfully chances are minimal that someone could hurt them.

As other have said, I find this type of cruelty unimaginable.

[RaVeN71806]

Originally Posted by KTScarlettOkity

Raven~ What a shame you have/had to live near someone so cruel. I have 2 cats (both rescues) and if someone hurt them, I know my husband would be posting bail after I was charged with assault. My munchkins are solely indoor cats, so thankfully chances are minimal that someone could hurt them.

As other have said, I find this type of cruelty unimaginable.

The sad part KT they had animals mean ones though they had two german shephards who were so mean you couldn't even take the chance to go near the neighbor if she had one of them out...I have two dogs who our my babies and if anybody hurt them there would be hell to pay it would be the same for my fiancee would be bailing me out of jail...I just think people who hurt animals and children our just weak minded people...

[LatrobeGirl]

Originally Posted by sharlock

It sickens me that people do these things. When I was young one of my friends older brothers (who was really creepy) skinned their pet cat because it ate some of his sandwich. He is married now with kids and a good job but I can never get that incident out of my head whenever he is spoken of. He first shot the cat with one of those big metal bow and arrow things( I am not sure what they are called). I still think about it and it happened about 20 years ago.

Whoa....I'd be keeping a close eye on that creep! Anyone who has the capacity to do such a cruel thing to any animal, but even more so their own family's PET.....God only knows what else a "person" like that is capable of.

My three little dogs are absolutely part of the family. Anyone who would harm them would have to deal with me, and I have a fierce side when it comes to those I love.

I have to admit that I once dog-napped a neighbor's dog who was being treated badly.....I took it to a private shelter over an hour's drive away. The family still doesn't know what ever happened to their dog....but thank God they never got another. (I think the dad was glad it was gone).

That dog was chained on a short chain, rarely fed or watered (except by me)....and one day when I saw the father beating it because it had gotten loose and was so happy it just ran around like crazy.....well, that was IT. The next day while they were at work and school, I went over and got her, and drove her up there. She was still pretty young (about 11 months), so I felt like if she got a new family she would still have a chance at a good life.

Confessions of an animal lover....

[KTScarlettOkity]

Originally Posted by RaVeN71806

The sad part KT they had animals mean ones though they had two german shephards who were so mean you couldn't even take the chance to go near the neighbor if she had one of them out...I have two dogs who our my babies and if anybody hurt them there would be hell to pay it would be the same for my fiancee would be bailing me out of jail...I just think people who hurt animals and children our just weak minded people...

Mean people raise mean pets. It's certainly NOT the animal's fault as they're only responding the the environment they're stuck in. And I agree, that people how hurt animals and children are weak in EVERY way. What a "big person" it takes to be able to hurt something an 8th of their size. **shakes head***

have to admit that I once dog-napped a neighbor's dog who was being treated badly.....I took it to a private shelter over an hour's drive away. The family still doesn't know what ever happened to their dog....but thank God they never got another. (I think the dad was glad it was gone).

Latrobegirl~ Your secret is safe with me! I would have aided and abetted THAT mission had I been able.

[awakening2lite]

Originally Posted by sharlock

It sickens me that people do these things. When I was young one of my freinds older brothers (who was really creepy) skinned their pet cat because it ate some of his sandwich. He is married now with kids and a good job but I can never get that incident out of my head whenever he is spoken of. He first shot the cat with one of those big metal bow and arrow things( I am not sure what they are called). I still think about it and it happened about 20 years ago.

How awful to have that memory. I am so sorry you have to be reminded of it, here.

I wonder if his children are afraid of him.

There is no lack of cruelty in the world.

Once, many years ago, when I was child, we found a tiny kitten in the middle of the street in front of our house. Someone had pulled all the claws out of the paws and threw it out. Poor thing, could not even walk to get out of the street. It just lay there in a puddle of blood, crying, mewing.
People talked about it for a few weeks, wondering if it was someone in the neighborhood.
And, believe it or not, many were afraid to touch the kitten (and later the cat) for fear of the person who did it finding out.
It was awful.
It never made the papers and no police investigated.

[KTScarlettOkity]

Originally Posted by awakening2lite

How awful to have that memory. I am so sorry you have to be reminded of it, here.

I wonder if his children are afraid of him.

There is no lack of cruelty in the world.

Once, many years ago, when I was child, we found a tiny kitten in the middle of the street in front of our house. Someone had pulled all the claws out of the paws and threw it out. Poor thing, could not even walk to get out of the street. It just lay there in a puddle of blood, crying, mewing.
People talked about it for a few weeks, wondering if it was someone in the neighborhood.
And, believe it or not, many were afraid to touch the kitten (and later the cat) for fear of the person who did it finding out.
It was awful.
It never made the papers and no police investigated.

Don't know why, but this reminded me of an incident from my youth. After a junior high dance, I was standing by the school entrance waiting with some other kids for our parents to pick us up. There was a ruckus off by the one field and when I walked over to investigate, a group of boys had cornered a possum and were poking it in the face with a a sharp stick. I can still, to this DAY see in my memory that wet shaking creature with one of it's eyes and it's muzzle bloody from poking just crouching there. Anyways I shoved my way into the crowd and stood straddled over that creature who did NOTHING wrong but be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I ripped the stick out of the hand of the astonished bully and threatened the group of them with it if they didn't leave immediately.

Luckily some parents showed up and shooed the boys and gathered crowd away.

For the LIFE of me, to this day I don't remember how I got up the gumption to stand up against a group of "popular" jock type boys. But I don't even remember thinking about it, I just did it. Paid for it though as I was teased for much of the year, but my group of friends who were my "real" friends thought I did the right thing.

[PASteve]

I still don't believe these were dogs. If you read the news reports closely I see too many holes in these claims. First off the Humane Society said the first three were speyed and neutered but oddly enough the vet that did the necropsy never mentioned that. He made an ID the animals were dogs based on teeth and muscle structure according to his own word without a mention of them being speyed or neutered. If they were speyed and or neutered why did they have to examine its teeth and muscle structure to determine it was not a fox or coyote. The only difference in their teeth would be the size. The Humane Society made this claim the vet didn't. Read the articles. Coyotes and dogs are so close I think it would be difficult at best for a domesticated animal vet with no experience with coyotes would be able to tell the difference. An identical case back in March in Ohio should be enough to prove this point.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/10955/OH/US/

As you can see by the article linked above this skinned dog was examined by a Humane Society vet (necropsy) and a guess was even taken to the breed of the animal with this vet saying it was a two year old Pitbull/chow mix.

The vet in pennsylvania has described these animals as Shetland Sheepdogs or Shelties. This article comes from a Sheltie breeder. He cant tell the difference between a sheltie skull and a coyote skull and he made the comparison by having them side by side so I doubt a domesticated vet who most likely has never seen a coyote could tell the difference.

http://www.kennelcity.com/cdnote3.html

And lastly these animals were supposedly well taken care of but to date no one (in spite of a 10,000 reward that will likely turn into a donation) has reported their animals missing. The spot where they found these animals was also the same area where last year they found 16 deer carcasses.

Until someone qualified examines these animals and confirms they are dogs I don't buy the story. This is simply junk science by people who may mean well but I think if we are going to holler "CRIME" and start a witch hunt we need a little more credible folks to validate the crime. I would like to see a positive identification from the PA Game Commission. This entire story is built on an investigation by unqualified people. Volunteers at the local Humane Society and their Veteranarian. The rest are all animal abuse experts from non profit animal rights and animal welfare groups. I wonder what makes them experts. Given the fact there is a known population of coyotes in pennsylvania and the fact that this is the same area where 16 deer carcasses were found last year and the fact that no one has reported any dogs missing. I think its time for the Game Commission to step in and take a look at these animals and lets get a qualified exam by some qualified individuals first. If we dont then whats the difference between animal rights laws and a typical everyday witch hunt. Anyone got an extra wooden stake?

[lorettalockhorn]

OT, but equally vile and depraved:

http://www.fox16.com/news/local/stor...eb0310&rss=315

[samanthajane13]

"
I still don't believe these were dogs. If you read the news reports closely I see too many holes in these claims. First off the Humane Society said the first three were speyed and neutered but oddly enough the vet that did the necropsy never mentioned that. He made an ID the animals were dogs based on teeth and muscle structure according to his own word without a mention of them being speyed or neutered. If they were speyed and or neutered why did they have to examine its teeth and muscle structure to determine it was not a fox or coyote. The only difference in their teeth would be the size. The Humane Society made this claim the vet didn't. Read the articles. Coyotes and dogs are so close I think it would be difficult at best for a domesticated animal vet with no experience with coyotes would be able to tell the difference. An identical case back in March in Ohio should be enough to prove this point.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/10955/OH/US/

As you can see by the article linked above this skinned dog was examined by a Humane Society vet (necropsy) and a guess was even taken to the breed of the animal with this vet saying it was a two year old Pitbull/chow mix.

The vet in pennsylvania has described these animals as Shetland Sheepdogs or Shelties. This article comes from a Sheltie breeder. He cant tell the difference between a sheltie skull and a coyote skull and he made the comparison by having them side by side so I doubt a domesticated vet who most likely has never seen a coyote could tell the difference.

http://www.kennelcity.com/cdnote3.html

And lastly these animals were supposedly well taken care of but to date no one (in spite of a 10,000 reward that will likely turn into a donation) has reported their animals missing. The spot where they found these animals was also the same area where last year they found 16 deer carcasses.

Until someone qualified examines these animals and confirms they are dogs I don't buy the story. This is simply junk science by people who may mean well but I think if we are going to holler "CRIME" and start a witch hunt we need a little more credible folks to validate the crime. I would like to see a positive identification from the PA Game Commission. This entire story is built on an investigation by unqualified people. Volunteers at the local Humane Society and their Veteranarian. The rest are all animal abuse experts from non profit animal rights and animal welfare groups. I wonder what makes them experts. Given the fact there is a known population of coyotes in pennsylvania and the fact that this is the same area where 16 deer carcasses were found last year and the fact that no one has reported any dogs missing. I think its time for the Game Commission to step in and take a look at these animals and lets get a qualified exam by some qualified individuals first. If we dont then whats the difference between animal rights laws and a typical everyday witch hunt. Anyone got an extra wooden stake?"

Regardless of the exact species involved, NO ANIMAL DESERVES TO BE TORTURED THIS WAY.

These canids (hope it makes you feel better that I didn't identify them as domesticated dogs) "died of hemorrhaging and blood loss before being skinned."

I can't think of a more fitting punishment for the scum who did this, unless the skin them BEFORE they die of hemorrhage and blood loss.

I just might volunteer to HELP put these SOBs down if I had the opportunity.

[RaVeN71806]

Originally Posted by KTScarlettOkity

Mean people raise mean pets. It's certainly NOT the animal's fault as they're only responding the the environment they're stuck in. And I agree, that people how hurt animals and children are weak in EVERY way. What a "big person" it takes to be able to hurt something an 8th of their size. **shakes head***



Latrobegirl~ Your secret is safe with me! I would have aided and abetted THAT mission had I been able.

yes they were mean so they beat the dogs which in return made the dogs mean...the asshole father made them that way he wanted them to be trained that way so that if someone ever tried to break into there house ..well it got to the point where nobody wanted to go to the house or near it because of afraid the dog's would attack somebody..

[RaVeN71806]

Originally Posted by samanthajane13

"
I still don't believe these were dogs. If you read the news reports closely I see too many holes in these claims. First off the Humane Society said the first three were speyed and neutered but oddly enough the vet that did the necropsy never mentioned that. He made an ID the animals were dogs based on teeth and muscle structure according to his own word without a mention of them being speyed or neutered. If they were speyed and or neutered why did they have to examine its teeth and muscle structure to determine it was not a fox or coyote. The only difference in their teeth would be the size. The Humane Society made this claim the vet didn't. Read the articles. Coyotes and dogs are so close I think it would be difficult at best for a domesticated animal vet with no experience with coyotes would be able to tell the difference. An identical case back in March in Ohio should be enough to prove this point.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/10955/OH/US/

As you can see by the article linked above this skinned dog was examined by a Humane Society vet (necropsy) and a guess was even taken to the breed of the animal with this vet saying it was a two year old Pitbull/chow mix.

The vet in pennsylvania has described these animals as Shetland Sheepdogs or Shelties. This article comes from a Sheltie breeder. He cant tell the difference between a sheltie skull and a coyote skull and he made the comparison by having them side by side so I doubt a domesticated vet who most likely has never seen a coyote could tell the difference.

http://www.kennelcity.com/cdnote3.html

And lastly these animals were supposedly well taken care of but to date no one (in spite of a 10,000 reward that will likely turn into a donation) has reported their animals missing. The spot where they found these animals was also the same area where last year they found 16 deer carcasses.

Until someone qualified examines these animals and confirms they are dogs I don't buy the story. This is simply junk science by people who may mean well but I think if we are going to holler "CRIME" and start a witch hunt we need a little more credible folks to validate the crime. I would like to see a positive identification from the PA Game Commission. This entire story is built on an investigation by unqualified people. Volunteers at the local Humane Society and their Veteranarian. The rest are all animal abuse experts from non profit animal rights and animal welfare groups. I wonder what makes them experts. Given the fact there is a known population of coyotes in pennsylvania and the fact that this is the same area where 16 deer carcasses were found last year and the fact that no one has reported any dogs missing. I think its time for the Game Commission to step in and take a look at these animals and lets get a qualified exam by some qualified individuals first. If we dont then whats the difference between animal rights laws and a typical everyday witch hunt. Anyone got an extra wooden stake?"

Regardless of the exact species involved, NO ANIMAL DESERVES TO BE TORTURED THIS WAY.

These canids (hope it makes you feel better that I didn't identify them as domesticated dogs) "died of hemorrhaging and blood loss before being skinned."

I can't think of a more fitting punishment for the scum who did this, unless the skin them BEFORE they die of hemorrhage and blood loss.

I just might volunteer to HELP put these SOBs down if I had the opportunity.

I agree with you 100% samantha no matter what kind of animal it was coyote or dog etc...they don't deserve to be treated like just basically slaughtered and thrown into creak...its horrible no matter how you put it...and who cares if its a vet or animal rights at least they care to find out what happened to them...

[PASteve]

Originally Posted by RaVeN71806

I agree with you 100% samantha no matter what kind of animal it was coyote or dog etc...they don't deserve to be treated like just basically slaughtered and thrown into creak...its horrible no matter how you put it...and who cares if its a vet or animal rights at least they care to find out what happened to them...

Gotcha.... Never mind the fact that no one cares enough about these animals to FIND OUT the truth. How do you expect to find out what happened to them when you dont even know what it is you're looking for and the only piece of evidence you have in the case is being handled by people who are simply not qualified to give the answer. You might as well be checking all the Wal-Marts in the US looking for two guys with blue ball caps that suck a toothpick. Everyone is looking for someone who mutilated, beat up and skinned some dogs and my guess is what really happened is 5 coyotes were shot in the abdomen with a small caliber rifle that hopefully would not exit the cavity therefore ruining the pelt and I assume one was still alive so they knocked it in the head with a rock or a big stick which would explain the hemmoraging and the smashed skull of the other. As gruesome as it is to read about none of this is illegal anywhere in the United States if they are coyotes. They are legal wildlife game by anyone with a valid hunting license and in alot of states they are legal to hunt year round. The only thing that is questionable by law is the way the carcasses were handled and disposed of. Now if you want to hand over this case to folks who are obviously biased and let them make the law, examine the evidence, hold the trial and pass the judgement and you feel no need to seek out the truth before you do all this then as I said before. DO YOU HAVE ANY EXTRA WOODEN STAKES??????

I just might volunteer to HELP put these SOBs down if I had the opportunity.

You actually think they are going to be caught? Doubtful at best. Who would you be chasing? A deranged killer that slaughtered (I hope that made you feel better that I added an emotional description of the crime for you and described it as slaughtered instead of killed) 5 Shelties (That should help too as that puts a cute puppy face on them) and then brutally skinned them and threw their carcasses in the creek? Are those guys the ones you are trying to catch or are you chasing the folks that legally killed 5 coyotes and then skinned them for their pelt and then dumped the carcasses in a creek.

Its a damm shame that the animal lovers out there are chasing down a criminal that doesnt exist meanwhile the people who killed these coyotes and dumped them in the creek and likely the same bunch that killed the 16 deer last year and dumped them there and will likely kill even more animals. Too bad no one cares enough to help THOSE animals. As i said before this is junk science being handled by unqualified, unprofessional people.

[samanthajane13]

"Its a damm shame that the animal lovers out there are chasing down a criminal that doesnt exist"

Animal cruelty-in any form-to any animal SHOULD be illegal. If the idiots who were hunting down the coyotes did so to protect livestick-which is dubious at best, they simply could have shot the ONCE in the head, instead of boiling and skinning them ALIVE! But studies show that coyotes RARELY attack humans, live-stock or any other domestic animals, except for when their territory is invaded or depleted of food resources, or their lives or the lives of their young are at risk. In those circumstances, almost ANY animal will attack, but in most cases, the animal would rather flee.

"meanwhile the people who killed these coyotes and dumped them in the creek and likely the same bunch that killed the 16 deer last year and dumped them there and will likely kill even more animals."

And they too, should be tried for animal cruelty. They killed an animal JUST BECAUSE THEY COULD. Not for food, which is the only plausible reason that I could personally accept.

"Too bad no one cares enough to help THOSE animals."

I DO.

"Who would you be chasing? A deranged killer that slaughtered (I hope that made you feel better that I added an emotional description of the crime for you and described it as slaughtered instead of killed) 5 Shelties (That should help too as that puts a cute puppy face on them) and then brutally skinned them and threw their carcasses in the creek? "

ALL OF THEM. They ALL deserve their day in court, revokation of their fire-arms and hunting licenses, confiscation of all weapons, and a good stiff jail sentence AND a steep fine.

In the absence of those measures, I say they also need a good swift *****-kicking.

Someone out there knows something about these barbaric "people". I would urge them to come forward with any info to aid the Animal Control workers and LE so that these psychos can be brought to justice.

Humans just might be the next victims for these killers.

[Angie1960]

This reminds me of a link i realized between kids who were raised and taught to slaughter animals, and serial killers - I have read many of the crime Library stories of serial killers and more than a couple of the killers had some experience in slaughter houses.