Total Reward Now $28,000
Santa Barbara-based animal welfare group Davey’s Voice, and The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation of Sherman Oaks, have formally announced additions of $3,000 and $5,000 respectfully to the reward fund offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of the dog, now known as Aloha, found seemingly deliberately drowned and tied to a shovel on Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey. The generous reward was preceded by a $5,000 reward offered by PETA, $5,000 by the Humane Society of the United States, and most recently as announced on Tuesday, March 22, $10,000 from the LA County Board of Supervisors (following a recommendation from Supervisor Don Knabe). This brings the total reward fund to a notable $28,000.
“I was utterly shocked and appalled by the sight of the drowned puppy. It’s an abhorrent act for a human being to commit,” said Gretchen Lieff, founder of Davey’s Voice. “Our mission at Davey’s Voice is to speak out for voiceless pets and promote animal welfare in Santa Barbara and beyond. Davey’s Voice pledges this reward in the hopes that anybody with any knowledge of this heinous crime will do the right thing and speak up for this defenseless puppy whose life was so needlessly and tragically lost.”
A necropsy undertaken by the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control revealed that the dog, described by witnesses as a medium sized Terrier mix, white with brown spots, with long wiry fur and a small pointed face, was confirmed to have drowned. The body was found Wednesday, March 16, at around 7:15 a.m. about 25 feet out in the water by canoers, with a shovel pushed through its collar and the shovel dug deep into the sand where the dog had drowned. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it was investigating the incident on Friday, March 18.
Animal advocates have started a campaign on social media: “Justice for Aloha” (www.facebook.com/groups/JusticeForAloha).
Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious related to the drowned dog is encouraged to contact the LA County Sheriff’s Department at (310) 482-6000 or Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Care and Control Aaron Reyes at (562) 728-4572.
The contribution from Davey’s Voice marks the second promise of a donation this week from the non-profit to a reward fund that has been offered to apprehend and convict animal abusers. Davey’s Voice also announced last night its promise of a donation of $4,000 to the reward fund in the blind toy poodle abuse case that resulted in the dog’s death last week in Orcutt in Santa Barbara County.
