Animal Legal Defense Fund offers $5,000 reward in Santa Rosa puppy strangulation case

The Chihuahua mix was found last month inside a backpack on the side of a Santa Rosa road.|
NASHELLY CHAVEZ
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

An animal legal advocacy group is offering a $5,000 reward in the case of a Chihuahua puppy found strangled in southwest Santa Rosa.

The Cotati-based Animal Legal Defense Fund asked for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the dog’s death. The 8-month-old dog was found July 27 on the side of Todd Road near Stony Point Road, according to Sonoma County Animal Services.

The dog, which the legal group named Luna, was inside a black Outdoor Products backpack with red straps. Officials also found a black leash.

A veterinarian determined the dog was strangled and died of asphyxiation.

A felony conviction for the malicious and intentional killing of an animal can lead to three years in jail in California, as well as a $20,000 fine, the legal group said.

Anyone with information on the animal death can call Sonoma County Animal Services at 707-565-7100.

You can reach Staff Writer Nashelly Chavez at 707-521-5203 or nashelly.chavez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nashellytweets.

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