Reward increased to $3K for Guam pet killer

Last week, Guam animal advocacy group GAIN, or Guam Animals In Need, announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or grand jury indictment of the killer of a pet dog named Pugua. Funds for the reward came from an anonymous donor.

“Today we’re announcing an additional $2,000 reward for the conviction of the person responsible for the heinous killing of Pugua,” said Cyrus Luhr, president of the GAIN board. “More donors have stepped forward, allowing us to increase the reward amount,” he explained. Donors include a number of members of the Rotary Club of Guam and Dr. Thomas Poole, the territorial veterinarian.

“The public is outraged,” said Luhr. “We hope this total of $3,000 in reward money will lead to swift justice.”

Local businesses are providing support in additional ways. Harper Valley Kennels is donating cremation services for Pugua, including an urn for his remains. “We’re deeply troubled by this violence in Yigo, and want to do our part so Pugua can finally rest in peace,” said Seve Susuico, owner of Harper Valley Kennels.

Isla Veterinary Clinic is donating x-ray and storage services, in an effort to recover bullet fragments from Pugua’s body. “The brutality shown toward Pugua is shocking, and we’re donating our services in an effort to help stop this killer,” said Dr. Lisa Silk, owner of Isla Veterinary Clinic.

A pet dog named Pugua was violently killed near his Yigo home on Sept. 27. Based on distressed howls heard by neighbors, the attack is believed to have occurred around 11 am Thursday morning.

A gentle and playful 2-year old Jack Russell and boonie mix, Pugua’s body was found shot and possibly beaten in the carport of a family friend who was taking care of him during the day. A bloody shovel was found near his body.

Poole said an autopsy shows that Pugua likely died from “a large caliber bullet probably from a handgun 9mm or larger.” Due to the nature of the bullet wound, Poole states that Pugua died instantly in the carport, and was not traveling about the neighborhood.

Pugua’s death is one of four recent attacks on pets in the same neighborhood, near the Yigo Mayor’s Office. Across the street from Pugua’s home, a neighbor reports their golden retriever was recently shot in the leg and testicles with a BB gun. Further up the same road, a couple reports their rottweiler was shot in the chest and killed a few weeks ago. And the day after Pugua was killed, a small stray dog was found dead from gunshot wounds in the same neighborhood.

Information is being sought on a person of interest who made threats against Pugua and other neighborhood dogs a day prior to the attack. He is described as a larger (6’, 200-230 lbs) Chamorro man with tattoos and short black hair, last seen Wednesday between 4pm and 5pm in Yigo (near the Mayor’s Office) pushing a stroller alongside a pregnant Chamorro woman (5’5”, 150 lbs) with long black hair, and two children under the age of 3.

Anyone with information about these violent crimes is urged to contact the Guam Police Department; GAIN at

info@guamanimals.org or 653-4246; or Guam Crime Stoppers by calling 477-HELP (4357), texting 486-HELP (4357), or visiting guam.crimestoppersweb.com. (PR)