Reward offered in case of hooded, bound pit bull found dead near Woodland

An animal-rights group has offered a reward for the conviction of the person who taped up a pit bull, wrapped him in carpet and left him at the side of a Yolo County road, where his lifeless body was found last week.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the dog’s death.

A man recently discovered the animal’s body near Woodland. He was driving near County Road 22 and the northbound Interstate 5 onramp about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 8 when he stopped his vehicle. He then saw a folded section of carpeting on the ground.

Inside the carpet he found a dead animal. He called authorities and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office animal services unit was dispatched to the scene.

When animal services personnel arrived, they unfolded the carpet and saw a mature, male pit bull. The dog’s head was covered with a plastic bag, which was secured around his neck by tape. The animal’s legs were also taped.

A forensic pathologist ruled that the death was recent.

“Anyone heartless enough to torture and suffocate a defenseless dog poses a danger to the whole community,” said PETA Senior Director Colleen O’Brien. “PETA urges anyone with information about the incident to come forward immediately, before anyone else gets hurt.”

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 1:06 PM.