HAMMOND, LA (WAFB) -
Animal cruelty investigators are looking for the person who left two puppies to die in the freezing cold.
An owner of the Tangi Humane Society found them outside the kennels on Tuesday morning.
The kennels are full. Owner, Randy Stegall said at any time 40 dogs live there comfortably. The organization tries to find fosters for the animals. But lately, Stegall said, workers have instead been spending most of their time investigating cruelty cases.
Stegall said his wife found two puppies dead outside of a shed near the kennels.
"This is where they put them at. We had the crate here. Both were curled up with ice and everything on them," Stegall said.
"All they had to do, right here, is slide these doors open and they could've put them in there and shut the doors. They would've been out of the elements of the rain and could've stayed a little warm and probably would've survived the night."
Stegall said it has happened five times in the last year and a half. He believes people are afraid to bring them to a shelter for fear the animals will be euthanized. Stegall wants them to know there are safe and legal ways to do drop off animals.
"All they have to do is come during operating hours and if we can't take them we will advise them to take them to animal control or give us time to find a foster or some place that will take them."
The society is adding two things to the premises to make things better: a sign reminding people it is illegal to dump and surveillance cameras to catch anyone who does.
"They're coming here Saturday, said they would donate the labor and equipment they have. We have to get the DVD player but I think we have the money to cover that. I think we're covered to get the security system we want here."
Stegall said he plans to press charges against anyone caught breaking the law.
The Tangi Humane Society and Swampy Paws Rescue are together offering a $1,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the person who dumped the puppies.
If you have any information, please call the Tangi Humane Society at (985) 419-9900.
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