Syracuse, N.Y. — A $4,000 reward has been offered for information about what led to the death of a dog that was found in a duffel bag on a Syracuse street corner near Onondaga Creek last month, police said.
The young male Pitbull mix, named Justin after his death, was found on the morning of March 9, at the corner of West Lafayette and Hunt avenues, police said Wednesday in a news release.
Stefanie Heath, a spokeswoman for Cuse Pit Crew, said Justin was left to die shortly before he was found by city employees at about 9 a.m., police said. The employees contacted police after finding the body, she said.
Justin was found in a blue duffel bag, wearing a red harness on his body and a yellow rope around his neck, according to police.
He was mostly tan, with some white on his face, Heath said
The police department’s animal cruelty unit is actively investigating what led to Justin’s death.
“This horrendous act of cruelty will NOT be tolerated in our backyard,” a police spokesperson said.
There are no leads at this time, Heath said.
Cuse Pit Crew offered a $2,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of Justin’s abuser or abusers. The Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse pledged an additionally $2,000 to bring the total reward to $4,000.
Police ask anyone with information about Justin’s case to contact the Syracuse Police Animal Cruelty Unit at 315-442-5336 or by email at animalcruelty@syracusepolice.org. Tips may be made anonymously.
Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.
©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit syracuse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.