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Will County raises award in animal abuse investigation
The dogs were found in garbage bags in a wooded area in Crete Township in early March.
CHICAGO - A higher reward is being offered as local investigators continue seeking information in the deaths of six dogs.
Will County dog abuse reward
What we know:
The dogs were found in garbage bags in a wooded area near Norfolk Avenue and Kings Road in Crete Township in early March. Officials say the dogs showed signs of abuse and may have been used in dog fighting.
Six dogs found dead in bags in Chicago suburb: 'Deeply disturbing'
Authorities in Will County are investigating the torture and killing of six dogs whose bodies were found discarded in trash bags.
The reward was raised from $5,000 to as much as $25,000 after Pets & Vets USA added $20,000. No one is in custody. Investigators say evidence was contaminated, preventing them from using DNA evidence.
Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow said the violence against the dogs was disturbing and called the case a public safety issue.
"The gravity that it took to torture those six poor animals and then just throw them in garbage bags along the side of the road shows a complete lack of compassion and empathy," Glasgow said. "There's a legion of studies showing that people are five times more likely to be violent against human beings if they're violent against animals."
Jay Bergman, chair of First Secure Bank, doubled down on Glasgow's comments.
"It's terrible. You know, you've got some sicko out there torturing and killing animals. And like Jim said, if somebody's that depraved, how long is it gonna be before they do the same thing to a human?"
How to submit a tip
David Silverman, president of Will County Crime Stoppers, said people can share information anonymously.
"We don’t ask your name," Silverman said. "We give you a secret identification number that you use to claim that tip if a charge is made by the state's attorney."
What you can do:
Tips can be submitted at Crime Stoppers of Will County.
The Source: The information in this story came from Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow; Jay Bergman, chair of First Secure Bank; and David Silverman, president of Will County Crime Stoppers.