In Defense Of Animals Adds $3,000 To Reward Fund To Find Missing Dog

$8,000 now available for information leading to safe rescue of Kapone, an 11-year-old family dog missing from Memphis Animal Services

Memphis, Tenn. (July 15, 2011) – In Defense of Animals (IDA), the international animal protection organization that operates Hope Animal Sanctuary in Grenada, Mississippi, has added $3,000 to the reward fund for information about Kapone, the Shoup family’s adored pit bull, who has been missing since he was picked up by a Memphis Animal Services (MAS) animal control officer. This brings the total reward fund to $8,000. Kapone disappeared on June 24th, when he and the family’s other dog, Jersey, got out of their fenced yard. Neighbors witnessed both dogs being loaded onto an MAS truck. Over the past two weeks, nearly 3,000 IDA members have sent emails complaining about MAS to Memphis city officials and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
 
On July 13th, Animal Control Officer Demetria Hogan was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Kapone. Police had been searching for her since an arrest warrant was issued. Hogan, a convicted felon, has a record that includes possession of a controlled substance, identity theft, forgery, burglary, passing bad checks, and theft of property. She has also been reported for failure to appear in prior cases, where animal cruelty allegations were dropped. Hogan has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty but is not in custody.
 
Hogan was hired under the City of Memphis Second Chance Program that provides jobs for convicted felons. She was about to be the subject of a disciplinary hearing for a “major infraction” at MAS but it was postponed because of the police investigation. Hogan is still employed with MAS, drawing her salary until the court hearing. Doll Stanley, the Director of IDA’s Hope Animal Sanctuary in Grenada, Mississippi, said: “at a minimum, Hogan should not be allowed to have contact with animals until she is exonerated from any connection to the disappearance of Kapone or the other animals missing from MAS.”
 
Fears abound that Kapone and other dogs were sold for dog fighting, which is a significant problem in Memphis. Although there is now a suspect in this case, In Defense of Animals is offering $3,000 for anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of others involved in the disappearance of Kapone, or evidence leading to the location and safe rescue of Kapone.
 
Director Stanley of IDA’s Mississippi sanctuary added: “the disappearance of Kapone while in the custody of Memphis Animal Services is chilling, inexcusable, and a violation of the rights of Kapone’s family. Our society recognizes dogs and cats as companions and even family members. How can Memphis city officials betray the trust of citizens by fostering the repeated neglect and disappearance of companion animals?”

Elliot M. Katz, DVM, founder of In Defense of Animals, added: “Not knowing whether Kapone is alive or dead, whether he is safe or injured, the terrible fear, anxiety, pain, and sense of loss felt by Kapone’s family is similar to the suffering of a family whose child has been lost or kidnapped. Please do all in your power to right this terrible wrong. If you know where Kapone is, please notify the police immediately.”

Information concerning Kapone’s location should be reported to Memphis Police Department dispatch at 901-545-COPS or CrimeStoppers of Memphis, 528-CASH (2274).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Doll Stanley, (662) 809-4483, doll@idausa.org