VERNON — Authorities say that about a dozen dead dogs found dumped in a wooded area of southern Indiana were shot or beaten to death.
Investigators believe the dogs were likely dumped from a vehicle last month. They determined that most were shot with an air rifle and two puppies were fatally beaten.
Jennings County Animal Control officials met with sheriff’s department detectives about an investigation about the dogs last week, which were found by a passerby driving through the area the afternoon of Feb. 28.
The dogs were found on County Road 740E, south of County Road 1000N in Columbia Township, near the Zenas slab area.
According to a witness, the dogs were not there earlier in the day, but were observed later on Feb. 28 a short distance from the roadway.
One of the puppies was found hanging from a tree and investigators says that’s because it was likely tossed into the woods. Tips are being sought from the public.
The dogs are described as:
- One mature female brindle and white pit bull
- One mature female beagle mix which had recently given birth
- One mature brown female boxer
- Seven (4- to 5-month-old, approximate age) puppies
- Two puppies (1- to 2-weeks old, approximate age)
Anyone with information about the dogs is asked to call the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 812-346-0342 or Jennings County Central Dispatch at 812-346-4911.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
