Readers increase bounty in dog mutilation case
Owner continues to grieve
by Ambria Hammel

NEW RIVER – North Valley residents, appalled at what appears to be a severe case of animal cruelty, have added $700 to the growing pot of reward money offered for information leading to an arrest or indictment in the case.

They’re outraged over the news, reported by The Desert Advocate last week, of a six‑month‑old pit bull apparently skinned alive by an individual or individuals in the two days he was missing from his New River home. Bugsy, who disappeared April 26 and was returned home April 28, had to be put down due to the severity of his injuries. His owner and family are still coping with the loss.

“He was a real people‑person dog. He loved to be around people all the time,” said Bugsy’s owner Asa Gray, who related that the days since the incident have been hard. “He was always with me.”

Bugsy sat on Gray’s lap during the day time and slept with him at night until he could no longer keep the dog at his apartment. For the last two months, the pup lived with Gray’s girlfriend, Jessica Barlow, in the 40000 block of North 7th Street in New River. There he slept outside on the fenced‑in property with three other dogs, including a pit bull mix, a few cats and several goats. 

Barlow’s mom, Crystal, said the pup never got out until her daughter discovered him missing late at night April 26. The fence includes chicken wire, and Crystal said the animals would have to dig their way out to escape. “So, definitely, someone would have had to open that gate,” she concluded.

By mid‑morning April 28, Crystal’s boyfriend heard ferocious growling as he approached the tool shed to return a screwdriver and discovered a mutilated Bugsy. Veterinarians at the Arizona Humane Society described the injuries as sharp and clean, and most likely human caused. The case remains under investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.

“We’re still kind of scared wondering who in the world is out there,” Crystal said.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com.

Reward grows to $6,700

Since the “Dog skinned alive” story appeared on The Desert Advocate’s front page last week, outraged readers have offered additional reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party(s) responsible for this heinous crime.

In addition to the original reward of $5,000 offered by the Arizona Humane Society and Silent Witness plus $1,000 pledged by The Desert Advocate, one reader has added $500 and two readers $100 each, for a total reward to date of $6,700. Pledges of added reward money should be directed to the Arizona Humane Society and/or Silent Witness.

Anyone with information is urged to call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.