THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 7, 1997 TAG: 9701070276
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 22 lines
A standing reward for information leading to the conviction of animal abusers is being offered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The decision to set up a permanent system follows two cruelty reports from Suffolk for which PETA had offered a reward.
``We're just hoping to make our new home state a little more animal-friendly by offering the standing reward,'' said PETA spokesman Michael McGraw.
The rewards will range from $200 to $2,000, depending on the nature of the abuse. The Suffolk incidents occurred in the past three months and involved cats whose throats were slit and an emaciated dog. PETA has received no information on those cases.
PETA said that it acted because many animal abusers are never caught, and that studies show a link between cruelty to animals and human violence.