DILLSBORO – A local family is mourning the loss of two of their pets while community members hope to put an end to animal cruelty.
Laci Holt told The Versailles Republican that her family had Montana, a mixed-breed dog since it was a puppy. Montana went missing from the home on South County Road 750 E in Dillsboro on July 3.
Montana, along with a family cat, were found dead on top of a garbage bag in a wooded area about a half mile from their home July 9.
Family members say this was no accident. They believe it was intentional as spray pellets were found around Montana’s body, the newspaper reported
The Ripley County Sheriff’s received a report from the family and investigated the matter.
Sheriff Rodney Stratton said, “We will look into instances dead animals, however, not every animal found dead can be solved”
The death of the pets is shining a light on new penalties in Indiana. The recently revised criminal code has upgraded animal cruelty from a misdemeanor to a felony. A conviction could result in a jail sentence between six months to two and a half years.
Irish Stockard with the Ripley County Humane Society says it is about time the law was revised
“Finally we have something to help protect our animals. When this happens people need to know they cannot do anything they want and can’t take the law into their hands anymore.”
The shelter offers a microchip to tag your pet in case they go missing. Stockard says the national return rate of a lost pet is only 16 percent and the microchip costs just $20.
“We are just trying to protect the animals. Just call and make an appointment. The microchipping is just a sure way of getting your animal home,” Stockard said.
