Reward increased to $5K in Guam dog drowning case

The non-profit group Guam Animals in Need continues to seek information on the drowning of a small dog in Talofofo and the reward leading to an arrest in the case is now $5,000, which is being offered by an anonymous donor.

The award was previously set at $3,000.

One can provide information and collect the increased reward while remaining anonymous. GAIN encourages anyone with information to contact Guam Crime Stoppers at 477-HELP (4357) or guam.crimestoppersweb.com.

GAIN does not have new information about the case since its last public notice, but the non-profit organization hopes that someone in the community may know something and is willing to share it.

“Somebody tied a dog to a rock using rope and duct tape, and drowned it in a river. This sadistic killer is a danger to others, humans and animals. Please help us stop them,” said Cyrus Luhr, GAIN board president.

The dog, possibly an adult terrier-mix weighing 10-15 lbs with tan fur, was tied to a rock using rope and duct tape before being drowned in a river. A jogger spotted the body of the drowned dog floating near the bridge immediately north of Jeff’s Pirate Cove on Route 4 in Talofofo on Sept. 20. The Guam Police Department began its investigation, and the Department of Agriculture and GAIN recovered the body.

When pulling the body from the water, personnel were also able to recover the rock used to weigh the dog down in the water. “This was intentional. The rope around the neck was knotted tightly, and duct-tape was used to permanently secure the rope to a rock,” said Luhr.

The body was transported by GAIN to the animal shelter in Yigo, where it was stored and examined by Dr. Thomas Pool, the Guam territorial veterinarian. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the sex and precise age of the dog could not be determined. However, Pool estimates the drowning occurred within the last few weeks.

The body of a dog that is tied to a rock and drowned in Guam is seen in the photo taken from the bridge immediately north of Jeff’s Pirate Cove on Route 4 in Talofofo. (GAIN)

“An act like this is both heartbreaking and profoundly worrisome for our community. Someone who is capable of torturing and killing a small, innocent dog like this is likely capable of anything. According to the FBI, one of the most strongly correlated traits of serial killers is a history of torturing animals. Also, conduct disorders, like child abuse and spouse beating, are similarly strongly correlated with animal abuse. We can only pray that a witness will come forward,” said Pool.

Numerous studies demonstrate a direct link between animal abuse and domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. Animal abuse was found in 88% of homes in which physical child abuse was being investigated. Eighty-nine percent of women who had companion animals during an abusive relationship reported that their animals were threatened, harmed, or killed by their abusive partner.

“If you have any information, please share it and help us protect lives. The killer who did this is likely to hurt more animals or humans,” said Luhr.

“GPD will continue to work alongside GAIN in bringing closure to this case. Anyone with Information can submit a tip online anonymously to the Guam Crime Stoppers at guam.crimestoppersweb.com,” said Sgt. Paul Tapao of the Guam Police Department.

GAIN continues to advocate for Bill 185-35, the PAWS Act (also known as Pugua’s Law), which is currently being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General of Guam. Once adopted, the measure will modernize animal cruelty laws in Guam.

GAIN is also awaiting developments in the Guam Police Department’s investigation into Walter’s killing, a neighborhood pet whose throat was slashed in late July. (PR)