$10,000 reward offered for information about duct-taped dog found in dumpster

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) - There is a $10,000 reward for information about a dog that was found duct-taped and thrown into a dumpster last week.

The Nebraska Humane Society and PETA have contributed $5,000 each for information leading to an arrest and animal cruelty conviction of those responsible for the incident.

“No leads or suspects have been identified, so PETA is asking for the public’s help,” PETA said in a release.

Last week, Leo, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel-poodle mix, was discovered in a dumpster. Leo’s head was wrapped in duct tape and his front and back legs were also taped together.

“The terror that this little dog must have endured as a cruel person wrapped his head and legs in duct tape, leaving him in a dumpster and barely able to breathe, is unthinkable,” said Colleen O’Brien, PETA senior vice president. “PETA asks anyone with information to come forward immediately before the individual responsible hurts or kills someone else.”

Leo was rushed to the Nebraska Humane Society, where staff removed the tape after sedating him.

Leo’s owners were located using microchip identification.

Erin Dillon-Pasillas had reported Leo missing on April 11. She and her family spent that weekend searching for Leo and went to the humane society that Monday to see if Leo was there after getting a text from PetLink.

Dillon-Pasillas said she and her family are relieved to have Leo back home and in good health. She said the family hopes they will get justice for what happened to him.

“They deserve to be in jail. These are family pets that people are connected to and there’s no reason to hurt an animal like this,” she said.

There are no cameras in the area that might have seen Leo being put in the dumpster, which was allegedly emptied by the trash service about 30 minutes after Animal Control responded to the call.

Authorities are investigating the incident. Those responsible face a misdemeanor charge, which can incur a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.

Anyone with information can call the Nebraska Humane Society at 402-444-7800, Ext. 1.

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