Multiple dogs found killed, tortured Officials say two cars spotted with occupants trying to lure pets in multiple neighborhoods Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Hide Transcript Show Transcript

A WARNING FOR YOU TONIGHT. THIS STORY MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME VIEWERS TO HEAR ABOUT. MULTIPLE DOGS. FOUND DEAD IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. NOW THE COMMUNITY IS LOOKING FOR WHO IS RESPONSIBLE. NBC-5'S ROSS KETSCHKE IS LIVE IN SHELDON... AND SPOKE TO LOCAL OFFICIALS ABOUT THIS DISTURBING SERIES OF DEATHS... ROSS... - THIS DOG PARK IS A POPULAR PLACE FOR THE NEARBY BEIGHBIRHOOD TO BRING THEIR ANIMALS... BUT TONIGHT, ITS A PLACE OFFICIALS WANT PET OWNERS TO BE ON THE LOOK OUR AFTER A STRING OF DISTURBING DISCOVERIES. SOT :07 NICOLE MICHAEL "I SAT HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT JUST CONTEMPLATING AND ASKING WHY ANYBODY WOULD DO THIS." TRACK A VERMONT COMMUNITY. LOOKING FOR ANSWERS. AFTER MULTIPLE DOGS ARE FOUND DEAD IN THE WOODS. SOT :08 NICOLE MICHAEL "HIS HEAD WAS HERE OR A LITTLE FURTHER BACK AND IT WAS AROUND HIS NECK WRAPPED AROUND THIS." TRACK NICOLE MICHAEL IS THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER IN SHELDON... IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS - SHE'S BEEN CALLED TO SIX HORRIFYING SCENES. SOT :10 NICOLE MICHAEL "PLASTIC BAGS TIED OVER THEIR HEAD TOSSED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... IN EVERY CASE, TORTURE." TRACK ONE OF THE DOGS WAS FOUND EXECUTED JUST STEPS OFF A POPULAR TRAIL... MICHAEL SAYS REPORTS OF SOMEONE TRYING TO LURE DOGS INTO A SILVER SEDAN AND GOLD S-U-V HAVE COME FROM ACROSS FRANKLIN COUNTY. SOT :09 NICOLE MICHAEL "WE ADD DOGS TO OUR FAMILY WE USE THEM FOR PROTECTION, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LET THEM RUN AROUND OUR PROPERTY, THEIR HOME. WE CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE." TRACK MICHAEL IS CALLING THESE ATTACKS AN EPIDEMIC... AND SAYS IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE WHO MIGHT BE RESPONSIBLE. BUTTED SOTS :20 NICOLE MICHAEL "I REALLY HAVE NO WORDS FOR SOMEONE WHO COULD DO SOMETHING SO HEARTLESS, SO CRULE. DOGS ARE OUR FAMILY." KAREN MITCHELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCOTY BOARD MEMBER "YOU KNOW, YOU HEART THESE CASE OF ABUSE AND CRUELTY TO DOGS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND EVERYWHERE AND IT'S SO TRAGIC WHEN IT HAPPENS." TRACK KAREN MITCHELL OF THE FRANKIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY SAYS HER ORGANIZATION IS OFFERING A 5- HUNDRED- DOLLAR REWARD FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO AN ARREST. VERMONT STATE POLICE ARE LEADING THE INVESTIGATION... AND MICHAEL SAYS EVERY SECOND COUNTS. SOT :07 NICOLE MICHAEL "GET ON THE PHONE WITH THE AUTHORITIES. THE SOONER WE ACT, THE SOONER WE'LL MAYBE TRACK THIS PERSON DOWN." AS THE WEATHER GETS WARMER OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURING ALL PET OWNERS TO KEEP AN EXTRA CLOSE EYE ON THEIR ANIMALS WHEN THEY GO OUTSIDE AND REPORT ANY SUSPICOUS ACTIVITY TO POLICE. LIVE IN SAINT ALBANS, ROSS KETSCHKE NBC 5 NEWS BERLIN VE

SIGN UP FOR BREAKING NEWS Get local stories sent straight to your inbox as news breaks. Submit Privacy Notice