Press Release

Animal Wellness Action Doubles Reward to $10,000 in Heinous Animal Abuse Case After Viewing Graphic Photos of Dog’s Injuries

FRANKLIN, Texas — Animal Wellness Action just announced it is doubling its reward to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator responsible for a barbaric act of animal cruelty in Robertson County, Texas. The decision comes after receiving and reviewing disturbing photographs of the dog’s catastrophic injuries, which have heightened outrage among advocates and the public alike. 

Watch Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, announce the increased reward here: Reward Announcement Video

The case in late July, when a local woman, Ashlee Snell, discovered a severely injured small dog near Little Mississippi Cemetery Road. The dog, barely alive and suffering from a shattered jaw, extensive facial trauma, and a hole in his chest, was believed to have been deliberately harmed using a firework or explosive device, according to veterinary professionals and investigators. The injuries were so severe that the only humane option was euthanasia.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident. Sheriff Bill Ruland has confirmed the injuries were consistent with an explosive device and called the case “horrible,” urging the public to assist in identifying the perpetrator.

“Seeing these images takes our outrage to an entirely new level,” said Pacelle. “The cruelty inflicted on this small, defenseless dog is almost beyond comprehension. This was not just an attack — it was a calculated act of sadism. We are doubling our reward to $10,000 because someone out there knows who did this, and we want that person brought to justice without delay.”

Animal Wellness Action is urging anyone with information to contact the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office at (979) 828-3299.

The organization is also pressing for stronger federal enforcement capacity to combat animal cruelty, citing the close link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. The Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, H.R. 1477, would create a team of dedicated prosecutors to work with local and federal authorities to enforce anti-cruelty laws, and the FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act, H.R. 3683, would establish a specialized policing unit within the FBI to focus on animal cruelty crimes.

Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy continue to fight for animals across the nation, working to end cruelty and hold abusers accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter