$5K Reward Offered After Dog Found Bound In Inland Empire

INLAND EMPIRE, CA -- Animal rights group PETA announced this week a $5,000 reward for any information that will lead to the arrest of the person who abused a 4-year-old dog in the Inland Empire. Officials said a male poodle was found with a rubber band tightly bound around the top of his mouth last week, and needed 60 sutures in three layers around his muzzle.

The suffering dog was found in Ontario by a Good Samaritan who notified the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA.

The dog was immediately taken into emergency care where veterinarians conducted surgery to treat its infected mouth and tongue. It was unclear how long the dog, now named Ricky, had been suffering. The young dog was also found to be extremely matted, officials said.

The dog is currently stable and under medical care at the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA.

"Without an observant person's quick action and a veterinarian's care, this little dog could have died, alone and afraid, from infection, dehydration, or starvation," says PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien. "PETA seeks the public's help so that whoever snapped a rubber band around this dog's muzzle and walked away can be held accountable and stopped from hurting anyone else."

Anyone with any information is urged to call the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA at 909-623-9777.

--Photos via Inland Valley Humane Society