Tracy Sudlow, speaking about a cat and a kitten that were thrown in as bait to pit bulls, viciously attacked and torn to pieces, "Thankfully the two dogs didn’t kill each other."
INDIANA -- When volunteers walked into the Paws ’n’ Claws Animal Shelter on Thursday morning, they were greeted by a crime scene.
Attica Police are investigating a break-in and subsequent dogfight that took place at the shelter at 103 S. Market St.
By the time the crime was over, three dogs were injured, and two cats were dead.
“We were very shocked and very upset,” said Tracy Sudlow, a veterinarian and co-founder of Paws ’n’ Claws.
“The community has been absolutely amazing in helping us get the shelter going, but to have this happen is just devastating.”
Investigators believe that someone broke into the shelter overnight with the intent of fighting pit bulls.
Sudlow said two large pit bull mixes were put together in a small cage. The dogs, said to be usually friendly, became territorial and began to fight intensely.
“They did tear each other up pretty badly,” Sudlow said.
“Someone then took a cat out of one of the cages and put it in the cage with the pit bulls. The cat was found dead. Thankfully the two dogs didn’t kill each other.”
Sudlow said a kitten was placed in a small space with a mother pit bull and her litter of puppies: “That kitten was mauled and killed as well.”
A third dog that recently underwent surgery also was found to be bleeding Thursday morning. Sudlow said it is believed that the bleeding dog was somehow manipulated during the break-in because the bleeding was not related to any wounds from surgery.
Sudlow said all three dogs were treated, given antibiotics and pain medication. They were doing well Thursday night and are expected to make full recoveries.
She said shelter volunteers were in good spirits after police informed them that they had a few potential leads on the case.
“We were very happy to hear that, and they said they will keep us updated,” Sudlow said. “Everyone else has been calling and offering to help and offering donations.”
Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Attica Police Department at 765-762-2449. Paws ’n’ Claws is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
(Journal and Courier - August 9, 2012)
