Reward offered in Monterey County animal mutilation cases

A California-based animal protection organization is offering a $2,500 reward for information regarding alleged mutilation, killing and dumping of animals in South Monterey County.
Rhonda Somerton, a volunteer with the Humane Farming Association (HFA), received a tip about animal mutilation in September and obtained public records regarding the issue. Multiple dogs were dumped in the Salinas River bed in November 2016, Somerton found in public records. According to an HFA release, since then, Somerton said she's found bodies of chickens and turkeys in bags with candles, flowers and herbs commonly used in "ritualistic animal sacrifice." She also found four dog carcasses and two dismembered goats. The reward is being offered for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the alleged animal abuse. The nonprofit association asks for anyone with information about animal dumping to contact them at montereycountyanimaltips@hfa.org. In response to a Press release put out by the The Humane Farming Association on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, where it is alleged that Monterey County Animal Services had “full knowledge of animal dumping on the Salinas River.” Monterey County Animal Services acknowledges that in November of 2016, a call was received regarding “multiple bodies dumped” in the riverbed near the Elm Street bridge in Greenfield. An officer was dispatched to discuss the situation with the reporting party. The next day, a body was delivered to the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center for a necropsy.  The necropsy, while suspicious, did not provide any definitive information to conclude it represented an animal cruelty case, or lead to any suspects.
Since that time, there have been zero reports or tips provided to this agency in regards to deceased animals, of any kind, being found at this location – or with regard to suspected animal cruelty at this location. Monterey County Animal Services encourages the public to report any instances of animal cruelty or abandonment by calling 831-769-8850 or online at www.mtyhd.org.