PETA raises tips reward to $16,000 for man who dragged 2 dogs behind his car in Georgia
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is helping Georgia officials identify the man who dragged two dogs tied to the back of a car nearly two months ago, killing one of them.
The animal rights organization is offering $10,000 for whoever has information that leads to the suspect's arrest, raising the total to $16,000.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect who dragged the two animals along a roadway in Redan, just east of Atlanta, at around 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday. Prosecutors said the driver then got out of his car and untied the dogs from the bumper, leaving them for dead.
In a news release Thursday, PETA said it aims to see the suspect convicted on animal cruelty charges.
"The agony and terror that these two dogs must have endured as a cruel person bound them to a car, sped down the road, and left them to die in a parking lot is unimaginable," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a news release. "PETA asks anyone with information to come forward immediately so this killer can be held accountable before they harm anyone else."
Suspect drove a 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Video caught the man pulling into the parking lot of the Redan Recreational Center. The man seemingly backed out of the parking to prevent his license plate number from being captured.
The suspect's car was a dark, four-door sedan that investigators believe is a 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, according to the prosecutor's office.
Anyone with information regarding the animal abuse is encouraged to call the DeKalb County Animal Enforcement tip line at 404-294-2939.
Other dog treated for severe injuries
A witness later notified police about the dogs and a DeKalb County Animal Enforcement officer later found both animals with a rope tied around their necks, according to prosecutors.
A male medium-sized black dog, between 1 and 7 years old, was found dead at the scene.
The other dog, a male medium-sized brindle around 9 months old, was treated for severe injuries and later cared for by DeKalb County Animal Services.
The DeKalb County Animal Services said the dog had an "amazing recovery" and has been adopted by a family, according to Atlanta station WANF.