Ann Arbor, MI (February 17, 2022) — Ann Arbor, MI (February 18, 2022) — Thanks to donations by concerned individuals, the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is offering up to $500 cash reward for information leading to the prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the dead dog found in a cage frozen to the ground near Ypsilanti’s Village Grove Apartments on Sunday.
HSHV Cruelty investigators found the dog following a report received by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
Based on the snow and ice covering the dog and cage, it’s likely the cage was placed in the small field off Share Avenue and west of Harris Road on Saturday. The dog was clearly emaciated, and feces lined his cage. He appeared to be a young pitbull mix dog, black in color with a little white stripe on his chest.
Anyone with information on the dog is asked to call HSHV’s Cruelty and Rescue Department at (734) 661-3512 or report online at hshv.org/report. All tips will be investigated.
“While we don’t yet have an official cause of death, this heartbreaking case gives us an opportunity to share some important reminders,” says Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV’s CEO. “Though it is still legal in Michigan to keep a dog outside when the temperature is dangerously cold, it can cause great suffering and even death. There is a bill in Michigan’s State House, HB 4784, that doesn’t ban dogs from being forced to live outside, but does create stricter rules to improve protection. Better laws make a difference.“
“We also want to be sure folks know that HSHV has a variety of support services available to families in our community struggling to care for or feed their animals. We are here to help and prevent these types of tragedies,” adds Hilgendorf.
Folks in HSHV’s service area can call (734) 662-5585 for assistance with their pet. To report animal cruelty in Washtenaw County, including dogs left or abandoned outside without adequate shelter, people can call (734) 661-3512.
And for more information on how to keep pets safe in the winter, please see hshv.org/pets-in-cold-weather/.
About The Humane Society of Huron Valley:
The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest animal “save-rate” among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity Navigator, the nation’s top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking, the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. More information can be found on HSHV’s website (hshv.org) and on our annual report (hshv.org/annualreport).
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