Serial Dog Rapist on the Loose
Description
By Jeff DiNunzio
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico and Albuquerque police to investigate a troubling sexual assault case against a dog.
The unknown suspect is believed to have broken into four dog shelters over the past two months. Six incidents have occurred in the past six weeks leading police to believe they are related. Sheriff’s deputies are searching for evidence hoping to lead to an arrest.
Detectives are awaiting the results of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner test performed on the dog by the shelter’s veterinarians. The exam may provide additional DNA information on the identity of the suspect.
Albuquerque officials have not specified what charges may be brought against the perpetrator, if found. Originally, authorities planned to file bestiality charges. However, according to Detective Amy Dudewicz of the Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit, those may be abandoned for charges under a newer “extreme animal cruelty” statute -- a fourth degree felony.
The injured dog was released by the suspect into the neighborhood after the episode. It was returned to the shelter after it was found. Dudewicz said the animal sustained what’s being called an “apparent injury” indicative of sodomy.
This is not the first national incident involving the sodomizing of dogs. In 2006, an Eastpointe, Mich., man was sentenced to three-and-a-half to 15 years for animal torture and sodomy. The judge in the case ordered him to register with the sex offender registry upon his release.
Offenders are listed when they “have been convicted of a "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" or a "sexually violent offense," as explained in the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act. However, it does not explicitly rule out offenses against animals.
Dudewicz’s supervisor, Sergeant Rachel Azbill, who is leading the investigation, also routinely works on sex offender cases. Dudewicz did not reject following a similar path in this investigation.
Since the occurrence, the violated dog has been recovering.
"The dog is healthy, happy, and has been in a foster home since the incident," said a staff member from the ASA in a phone call.
The ASA is not commenting extensively on the case since the investigation is ongoing, but is directing questions to a statement released on the topic.
BCSO and local police authorities are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Residents are being asked to call 505-841-9551 or 505-314-0145 if they have any information.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico and Albuquerque police to investigate a troubling sexual assault case against a dog.
The unknown suspect is believed to have broken into four dog shelters over the past two months. Six incidents have occurred in the past six weeks leading police to believe they are related. Sheriff’s deputies are searching for evidence hoping to lead to an arrest.
Detectives are awaiting the results of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner test performed on the dog by the shelter’s veterinarians. The exam may provide additional DNA information on the identity of the suspect.
Albuquerque officials have not specified what charges may be brought against the perpetrator, if found. Originally, authorities planned to file bestiality charges. However, according to Detective Amy Dudewicz of the Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit, those may be abandoned for charges under a newer “extreme animal cruelty” statute -- a fourth degree felony.
The injured dog was released by the suspect into the neighborhood after the episode. It was returned to the shelter after it was found. Dudewicz said the animal sustained what’s being called an “apparent injury” indicative of sodomy.
This is not the first national incident involving the sodomizing of dogs. In 2006, an Eastpointe, Mich., man was sentenced to three-and-a-half to 15 years for animal torture and sodomy. The judge in the case ordered him to register with the sex offender registry upon his release.
Offenders are listed when they “have been convicted of a "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" or a "sexually violent offense," as explained in the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act. However, it does not explicitly rule out offenses against animals.
Dudewicz’s supervisor, Sergeant Rachel Azbill, who is leading the investigation, also routinely works on sex offender cases. Dudewicz did not reject following a similar path in this investigation.
Since the occurrence, the violated dog has been recovering.
"The dog is healthy, happy, and has been in a foster home since the incident," said a staff member from the ASA in a phone call.
The ASA is not commenting extensively on the case since the investigation is ongoing, but is directing questions to a statement released on the topic.
BCSO and local police authorities are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Residents are being asked to call 505-841-9551 or 505-314-0145 if they have any information.
