WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for shooting two dogs in separate drive-by incidents in rural Wyoming.
According to published reports, residents in the small community of Emblem, Wyoming, are seeking answers after two dogs were shot on consecutive days in what appear to be targeted drive-by attacks. One dog, a pit bull, suffered a shotgun blast to the face but survived.
“These acts are not only cruel, they are deeply disturbing and dangerous to the entire community,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “Shooting dogs from a moving vehicle reflects a reckless disregard for life and public safety. It’s the kind of behavior that demands urgent investigation and accountability.”
Animal Wellness Action is urging anyone with information about the incidents to contact the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office or Animal Wellness Action at tips@animalwellnessaction.org.
“These were not isolated accidents, they appear to be deliberate acts of cruelty,” Pacelle added. “We need the public’s help to identify those responsible and ensure they are held accountable before more animals or people are harmed.”
Animal Wellness Action noted that violence against animals is often linked to broader patterns of criminal behavior and poses a risk to communities.
The organization also renewed its call 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. The FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act, H.R. 3683, would establish a specialized policing unit within the FBI to focus on animal cruelty crimes.