UPDATED Friday, February 10, 2012 --- 1:40 p.m.

From the Dane County Humane Society: Animal Protection Fund Reaches $10,000

MADISON, WI – The Animal Protection Fund, established with an initial $300 donation, has now reached $10,000 according to Dane County Humane Society (DCHS). The Humane Society strongly urges anyone with ANY information on the killing of the young chocolate lab puppy to please contact the Dane County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 608-284-6900.

“We’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support regarding this case and it’s been a true testament of how much this community truly cares about the welfare of animals, says Gayle Viney, DCHS spokeswoman. “People are still very upset and want to do something. The fact that this reward fund has reached $10,000 shows how much of an impact this little puppy has had on so many people,” says Viney.

DCHS continue to stay hopeful that this new amount will influence someone to come forward with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) involved in this horrible crime. “Please help us spread the word about this reward fund. We don’t want any other animals (or people) to get hurt,” says Viney. Should no one come forward with information about this cruelty case, the funds will be used to help other animals who are harmed or neglected.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Dane County Sheriff's Office tip line, 608-284-6900. If you think an animal is being abused, either through violence or neglect, contact Dane County Animal Services at 608-255-2345.

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UPDATED Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 1:00 p.m.

From the Dane County Humane Society: Animal Protection Fund Continues to Grow - Amount up to $8,500!

MADISON, WI – Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) continues to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support and outrage regarding the killing of the young puppy. The Animal Protection Fund, established on Monday with an initial $300 donation, has now surpassed $8,500, according to the Humane Society. Should no one come forward with information about this cruelty case, the funds will be used to help other animals who are harmed or neglected.

“We continue to stay hopeful that this reward fund will influence someone to come forward with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) involved in this horrible crime,” says Gayle Viney, DCHS spokeswoman. “Please help us spread the word about this reward fund. We don’t want any other animals (or people) to get hurt,” says Viney.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Dane County Sheriff's Office tip line, 608-284-6900. If you think an animal is being abused, either through violence or neglect, contact Dane County Animal Services at 608-255-2345.

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UPDATED Wednesday, February 1, 2012 --- 3:47 p.m.

From the Dane County Humane Society:

The Animal Protection Fund has grown to over $5,000! Thank you to those dedicated to helping find the person(s) responsible for this cruel act. Hopefully this reward will help crack the case.

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UPDATED Wednesday, February 1, 2012 --- 9:45 a.m.

From the Dane County Humane Society: Animal Protection Fund Quickly Grows to Over $2,000

MADISON, WI – Donations are pouring in to a reward fund set up to get information on the killing of a 4-month-old chocolate Labrador puppy that was left in a ditch with its legs bound and nose and mouth taped shut. The dog was found by sheriff's deputies in a ditch along County A in the town of Rutland on Thursday afternoon.

The puppy had no collar, tags or identifying information.

The Animal Protection Fund was established by Dane County Humane Society with an initial $300 donation from a shelter volunteer, and now has surpassed $2,000, according to the Humane Society.

"We are hopeful that establishing a reward fund can help bring forward additional information that can lead to the arrest of the people involved in this horrible act of animal abuse," said Gayle Viney of the Humane Society.

Donations to the fund can be made at DCHS’s website, www.giveshelter.org, or by sending a check to Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Dane County Sheriff's Office tip line, 608-284-6900. If you think an animal is being abused, either through violence or neglect, contact Dane County Animal Services at 608-255-2345.

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UPDATED Monday, January 30, 2012--9:55p.m.

MADISON--It was sometime Thursday afternoon when a passerby spotted a dead puppy lying in a ditch near County Highway A in the Town of Rutland. "The dog was basically bound, its legs bound and its face, mouth and eyes bound with packaging-type tape," said Elise Schaffer, the PIO for the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

She said it was pretty obvious the dog had been abused---and died as a result.

The gruesomeness of the crime is pushing others to hunt down whoever did this. "Really affected all of us at the shelter and a lot of our volunteers and people that wanted to get involved,” said Gayle Viney, of the Dane County Humane Society. “One actually came forward and said he wanted to donate money to go towards a reward fund that we're hoping can lead to more information."

The Dane County Humane Society is setting up a fund called the 'Animal Protection Fund' that will be used to try and find info to help solve the case. As of this afternoon, they had $300 dollars of reward money available, though they're hoping other community members will want to chip-in too. "If no tips or no clues come forward then that money will be used for animals that come in that have shown signs of being abused or neglected,” said Viney. “So that we can make sure that money goes towards the cause that people are caring about."

Schaffer said they're urging anyone with information about the case to pass it along. "We did have a few callers call into our tip line over the weekend, so our detective that's assigned to the case is going to follow up with those and hopefully those will lead us somewhere," she said.

Schaffer said she's not sure what the charges would be if they do find who committed the crime, but said it could possibly be felony level for animal cruelty. "If it does rise to that level the person could face up to three and a half years in jail and up to a 10,000 dollar fine or both," she said.

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UPDATED Monday, January 30, 2012 --- 12:00 p.m.

From the Dane County Humane Society:

MADISON, WI – An anonymous donor and volunteer of Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) has offered to put up $300 as a reward for information that leads to the capture of individual(s) involved in the recent cruelty case against a 4-month-old chocolate lab. The puppy was found in a ditch in the town of Rutland after being suffocated and bound with packing tape.

DCHS encourages community members that want to get involved to donate to the Animal Protection Fund. Donations can be made online at www.giveshelter.org by putting ‘Animal Protection Fund’ in the comment field. Checks can also be sent to DCHS at 5132 Voges Road in Madison.

DCHS is appreciative of those who have offered to donate so far and looks forward to being able to thank many more contributors. Should no one come forward with information about this cruelty case, the funds will be used to help other animals who are harmed or neglected.

“The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented,” says Gayle Viney, Public Relations Coordinator for DCHS. “We are hopeful that establishing a reward fund can help bring forward additional information that can lead to the arrest of the people involved in this horrible act of animal abuse.” Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault. “At DCHS, we invest in youth education so that kids grow up with the knowledge and understanding of appropriate and humane animal care,” says Viney.

If you have information about this case, the Dane County Sheriff’s Department asks you to please contact the Tip Line at 608-284-6900. If you think an animal is being abused, either through violence or neglect, contact Dane County Animal Services at 608-255-2345.

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Posted: Friday, January 27, 2012 --- 8:22p.m.

Release from Dane County Sheriff's Office:

On Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 3:14pm, Dane County Deputies were dispatched to CTH A approximately ½ mile west of Bass Lake Road, in the Town of Rutland, for a deceased dog. Upon arrival, deputies located a Labrador Retriever lying in the ditch, adjacent to the eastbound lane of CTH A. The dog’s front and rear legs were bound together with clear, plastic, packing tape. The dog’s head, muzzle and nose were also covered with clear, plastic, packing tape. It appears the dog died as a result of suffocation.

The dog is described as a male, Chocolate Labrador Retriever. The dog is believed to be between 3 to 6 months old. The dog did not have a collar, tags or any other identifying information.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information on the identity of the dog’s owner or information regarding this incident to call the Dane County tip line at (608) 284-6900.