Rogers County Dog Reportedly Dragged To Death

A reward is offered in the death of a Rogers County Labrador retriever. The dog appeared to have been dragged behind a car after her rear legs were bound with steel baling wire.

Owner Melony Patton said her brother first noticed the body Saturday morning, lying by the side of the road about a mile from their home outside Winganon.

The Pattons thought Jetta, who had just had nine pups, was outside. But when they went to call she didn't respond.

"My husband and my brother went down there to make sure it was her, and it was," Melony said.

"Someone took her back legs and wired them together and drug her a mile away from her home," she said. "We don't know if she was shot first or she was still alive when this happened."

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton wants to find the person responsible.

"Somebody knows that somebody did this," Walton said Sunday. "We've got a twisted mind out there that for whatever reason thought this was the thing to do to this animal. What else would this person be capable of?"

"If they have knowledge about the person and the vehicle that was used, call 911," he said.

The Pattons say Jetta was protective of their two children but would not have been aggressive towards anyone.

"We've had Jetta since she was about eight weeks old. My daughter got her for her third birthday, so she was about a year and a half old. She was a very friendly dog; she'd lick you to death before anything," Melony said.

9/2/2012 Related Story: Family Dismayed By Rogers County Dog's Death

The Pattons contacted the Rogers County Sheriff's Office and Annette Tucker, owner of Wild Heart Ranch, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility.  

Tucker reached out to animal protection groups and others and has a reward of $4,500 for information leading to the capture of the person or persons who killed the dog.

Jetta's nine pups are doing well, Patton said.

"She was like one of our kids," she said. "She was an awesome dog. I just don't understand why someone would do something like this."

The Sheriff said they have received so many calls from people upset about the crime that it is overwhelming his staff. He does not want people to think they are unsympathetic but said it is unlikely they will be able to respond to each call unless the person can help solve the crime.

If you have any concrete information about this crime, call Rogers County Sheriff's Office at 918-341-3620 or 911.