Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MIDVALE — Salt Lake County Animal Services are investigating a case in which two puppies were decapitated and left on apartment complex property.
Friday, animal services confirmed two decapitated labrador puppies were found in the pond at Springs of Country Wood at 1050 E. Fort Union Blvd. Officers made contact with the complex, but were unable to find any witnesses and there is no surveillance footage.
The animals were found on different days, one on Monday and the second on Wednesday. The puppies were between 3 and 4 months old.
Residents in the complex are shocked and perplexed at the discovery.
"I'm surprised that anybody could do something so horrible and in such public place. It's a little scary," said resident Jill Haskett.
Resident Lisa Hoagland is a dog owner, and her apartment has a view of a pond where the puppies were found. She wishes she had seen something to help investigators.
"It just kind of makes me sad to see someone do such a thing to two little innocent souls," she said."We don't have any kids, so we consider pets as children, and it quite frankly makes me upset and sad at the same time."
Gene Baierschmidt works alongside man's best friend every day at the Humane Society of Utah. He knows killing pets can be the start of something even more horrifying and that these deaths can't be taken lightly.
"There's a whole list of serial killers that started out abusing animals and torturing animals," Baierschmidt said. "If the individual is caught that has done this, it's very important that they get psychological counseling."
The investigation will remain open, Salt Lake County Animal Services said.
Animal services also reminded people that if they no longer want or can no longer care for their animals, they should take them to a shelter or the Humane Society of Utah for adoption.
The Humane Society is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to finding the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information about the events can contact Salt Lake County Animal Services dispatch at 801-743-7045.
Contributing: Cleon Wall
