Oct 21, 2008 7:29 pm US/Eastern
Police Sketch Erected For Animal Cruelty Suspect
Billboard Features Sketch Of Man Accused Of Tying Famished, Pregnant Dog To Shelter
First Time In State History Sketch Made For Animal Cruelty Suspect
PATERSON, N.J. (CBS) ―
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For the first time ever in New Jersey, police released a sketch for a suspect wanted for animal cruelty. What's more, they plastered his face on this billboard.
CBS
It's a first in New Jersey: Police have put out the sketch of a suspect wanted for animal cruelty, and they're making sure just about everyone takes notice.
His face is now plastered on a billboard on Route 80. Police say he's the suspect who left a malnourished, pregnant dog tied to the fence of a Paterson animal shelter in the freezing cold, while bleeding.
John DeCando, the shelter's director, delivered the puppies after getting a call from a witness who helped the New Jersey State Police with the sketch.
"It gave birth to a total of 10," said DeCando. "Only two survived, the other eight passed away."
Authorities believe the suspect walked to the shelter and more than likely lives in Paterson.
A Ringwood family has adopted the pups' mom, who is recovering. Still, finding the suspect has become DeCando's personal missing. He contacted the state police and they sent over a sketch artist, with hopes of making the public aware of the sad consequences of animal cruelty.
"First time in U.S. history that I know this has been done," he said of the billboard.
There's also a $7,500 reward, of which $5,000 came from an animal lover. The rest came from the U.S. SPCA.
"You know what really worries me is that if this person had done this to an animal, he could very well do it to a child, so we need somebody to come forward and say I know who this person is," said DeCando.
If you recognize the man in the sketch or have information about the case, you can call the Paterson Animal Shelter or the Passaic County SPCA. The suspect could face several years behind bars and a $25,000 fine.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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