Reward offered in "extreme" Douglas County animal abuse case

A cat suffering from years of neglect was abandoned at the Animal Shelter in Gardnerville, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a person of interest.

On August 16, 2018, animal control officer arrived at their shelter on Dump Road and found an animal carrier that contained a neutered male grey cat near the front door. The cat’s entire body of fur was matted and prevented the cat from moving freely. The cat was taken to Animal Medical Services, sedated and shaved and medical needs addressed including sores on the cat’s body due to the matted hair pulling on the skin.

It was an extreme case of animal neglect which had been culminating for years.

Surveillance tape shows an unidentified man with a gray goatee, wearing a red shirt, jeans and a baseball cap got out of the passenger side of a vehicle at 5:41 a.m. and abandoned the cat at the door.

A reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the suspect(s). Your identity is not needed and you will remain anonymous. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call DCSO Dispatch at (775) 782-5126 or Douglas County Secret Witness at: 775-78-CRIME (775-782-7463) or DCSO Sergeant B. Hubkey at (775) 782-9905.