AR-News: (NM - US) HSUS offers reward in Silver City case of slain horse

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFERS REWARD IN SILVER CITY, NEW
MEXICO CASE OF SLAIN HORSE

DALLAS (February 4, 2004) – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting and
killing of a 20-year old horse at his home in Silver City, New Mexico in
December.

The horse, named “Cody,” had been a member of owner Jennifer Stewart’s
family for 18 years. New Mexico Livestock Investigator Buddy Eby believes
that Cody was shot in his corral sometime after 2 a.m. on December 5. Cody
was shot in the neck by a large-caliber gun and died from his wounds.

“Such a deliberate and cruel act against an innocent horse is hard to
comprehend,” said Melissa DeLoach, program coordinator with The HSUS
Southwest Regional Office. “Our sympathy goes to the Stewart family, who
lost a beloved family member of 18 years. We hope that the reward will
bring those responsible for this crime to justice. Persons who commit acts
of animal cruelty often turn their violence on to humans as well. We
encourage anyone with information about this case to contact the
authorities.”

The $2,500 reward offered by The HSUS is in addition to $4,100 offered by
local and national organizations, which brings the total reward monies in
this case to $6,600.

The New Mexico Livestock Board is actively investigating this case. In New
Mexico, the penalty for shooting a horse or any other animal is a
fourth-degree felony, punishable by 18 months in prison. Anyone with
information about this case is asked to please contact Grant County Crime
Stoppers at 505-538-5254.

The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well
documented. The HSUS First Strike® Campaign raises public awareness and
educates communities about this connection. Through the program, The HSUS
provides resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals,
educators, legislators and citizens to learn about the connection and what
people can do to combat animal cruelty. The HSUS also offers rewards for
animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws
against animal cruelty. For more information, visit
www.hsus.org/firststrike.

The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization with over
eight million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for
animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection,
wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and
sustainable agriculture. The HSUS has protected all animals through
legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork.
The non-profit organization, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in
2004, is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the
country. The HSUS Southwest Regional Office serves Arizona, Arkansas,
Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. For more information, visit
The HSUS’ Web site – www.hsus.org.