Reward offered to find man who shot, killed 3 dogs, fled to Burlington

A reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of man who fled to Burlington after being accused of shooting and killing three dogs in Burt, New York.

The Niagara County community has offered a reward of $1,270, and growing, to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of Richard C. Russell.

Richard (Richie) C. Russell, 50, previously of Niagara Falls, New York, faces three animal cruelty charges for the shooting death of three pet dogs — beagle mixes Lucy Lou and Moo and pit bull Princess. All three dogs received multiple gunshot wounds to the head, which ultimately lead to their deaths.

Russell and his wife were evicted from a Whitney Avenue apartment, taking with them their three dogs, but leaving behind a cat, two turtles and two fish. The cat, turtles and fish have since been removed from the apartment by agents with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and they’re currently receiving care at the shelter.

SPCA investigators were able to recover the bodies of the three dogs in a four-inch grave dug in the backyard of a Burt home. Examinations and x-rays of the remains of the three dogs confirmed that all three were shot with a .22 caliber rifle

Russell and his wife were dropped off at a bus station, according to investigators, and the couple was apparently heading to the Burlington area to stay with a relative.

Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Salisbury at 716-731-4368 ext. 311.