DARLINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person involved in the poisoning of three dogs on a Willow Springs farm in February.
Three dogs, a 5-year-old Australian shepherd and two puppies, were discovered dead on a farm on Ballard Road, Town of Willow Springs, on Feb. 5. No signs of violence were found on the animals' bodies, but they were reportedly found foaming at the mouth.
An autopsy of two of the dogs confirmed they died after eating hamburger laced with sulfotep, a highly toxic pesticide whose use is prohibited in the United States, said Melissa Tedrowe, Wisconsin state director for the Humane Society.
Tedrowe said that two cows have since been also found dead on the farm. Although the cows' necropsy is pending, Tedrowe said it seemed clear that the dogs' deaths were not accidental.
"This isn't the first time we've seen this sort of targeted incident happen," Tedrowe said.
The owners of the dogs, Travis Halvorson and Tracey Butson of Mineral Point, contacted the Humane Society through the organization's animal cruelty hotline.
Tedrowe said the Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Campaign would work closely with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department to help gather information about the incident.
"We're hoping the reward provides an incentive for people to help with this horrible case," Tedrowe said.
The Animal Cruelty Campaign typically offers $2,500 in similar cases, but a donation from a Humane Society board member doubled the standard reward in this case, Tedrowe said.
"We only offer these sorts of rewards if the law enforcement agency we're working with says they need this sort of help," Tedrowe said.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department at (608) 776-4870. Tedrowe also encouraged anyone who encounters animal cruelty to contact law enforcement and the Humane Society at (202) 452-100.
Three dogs, a 5-year-old Australian shepherd and two puppies, were discovered dead on a farm on Ballard Road, Town of Willow Springs, on Feb. 5. No signs of violence were found on the animals' bodies, but they were reportedly found foaming at the mouth.
An autopsy of two of the dogs confirmed they died after eating hamburger laced with sulfotep, a highly toxic pesticide whose use is prohibited in the United States, said Melissa Tedrowe, Wisconsin state director for the Humane Society.
Tedrowe said that two cows have since been also found dead on the farm. Although the cows' necropsy is pending, Tedrowe said it seemed clear that the dogs' deaths were not accidental.
"This isn't the first time we've seen this sort of targeted incident happen," Tedrowe said.
The owners of the dogs, Travis Halvorson and Tracey Butson of Mineral Point, contacted the Humane Society through the organization's animal cruelty hotline.
Tedrowe said the Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Campaign would work closely with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department to help gather information about the incident.
"We're hoping the reward provides an incentive for people to help with this horrible case," Tedrowe said.
The Animal Cruelty Campaign typically offers $2,500 in similar cases, but a donation from a Humane Society board member doubled the standard reward in this case, Tedrowe said.
"We only offer these sorts of rewards if the law enforcement agency we're working with says they need this sort of help," Tedrowe said.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department at (608) 776-4870. Tedrowe also encouraged anyone who encounters animal cruelty to contact law enforcement and the Humane Society at (202) 452-100.