Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : January 31, 2006

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Major Jerry Jenkins, Law Enforcement Section (304) 558-2784 law@wvdnr.gov

Illegal Animal Dumping Investigated in Hampshire County  

  On Monday, January 30, 2006, members of the Hampshire County Sheriff's Department, WV Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section, and Fairfax County Police Department of Virginia investigated a complaint of illegal dumping of dogs and cats.

  More than 250 dead animals were identified, inventoried, and photographed, including those with rabies vaccination tags and name tags. Animals surveyed included mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, hawks, and deer, but were primarily dogs and cats. Some of the animals had been decapitated and a few had intravenous tubes still inserted in their forelegs. More than 4,000 pounds of animal carcasses were removed from the wooded area near Capon Bridge, WV, on Monday, due to the potential risk to the environment and human health.

  Reports of a similar illegal animal dump are being investigated in Hardy County . The investigations are on-going and anyone with information regarding this criminal act should contact the Hampshire County Sheriff's Department at 304-822-3894 or the WV DNR Conservation Officer at 304-822-3551.

**DNR**