WINONA -- The reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for killing 13 dogs and one cat in the New Hope Road area has increased to $700.
In the monthly meeting of the Winona Animal Advocacy Group, members voted to add $200 to the current $500 reward put up by In Defense of Animals located in Duck Hill.
"I think WAAG should add to the reward to find out who is responsible for this," said Carol Wolfe, WAAG vice president.
The measure was unanimously agreed upon by the members.
In Defense of Animals often works with WAAG in finding homes for Winona's misplaced or abandoned animals.
According to Doll Stanley of In Defense of Animals, 11 of the dogs and one cat were poisoned by antifreeze-laced deer meat given to the dogs. Two other dogs were shot.
"These were not hunting dogs," Stanley said. "These were people's pets."
Stanley said in her years of experience, hundreds of dogs are killed every year during deer hunting season.
"Some people get upset because hunting dogs are crossing through their property or people's dogs are hurting hunting," Stanley said. According to Stanley, most of the animals were taken to Dr. Jan Bailey in Winona, but some went to a Grenada veterinarian clinic.
"That is why the number [of animals] increased," Stanley said. "We didn't know about those that went to Grenada."
Stanley said several autopsies were performed, and the results were antifreeze poisoning.
"Dogs that are poisoned with antifreeze can survive if they are treated quickly enough," Stanley said. "If a dog is vomiting, immediately take it to the vet's office. If the poison gets into the kidneys, there is nothing that can be done."
Stanley said due to the sweet flavor of antifreeze, some dogs are accidently poisoned from car leaks and other accidents, but that is not the case with the 12 animals killed in Winona.
"The report said that it was antifreeze and deer meat," Stanley said.
Stanley urged pet owners to be vigilant when pets are allowed near the street.
"Even dogs that are behind a fence can be poisoned," she said.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department and the Winona Police Department are investigating.
If you have any information about the case, please call the sheriff's department at 283-4612 or the police department at 283-1140.
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