Woman Sought In Creek Co. Animal Abuse Case

The Creek County Sheriff's Office is asking for help in identifying a woman who they say was allegedly involved in an animal abuse case.

Monday, March 30th 2009, 2:36 pm

By: News On 6

Woman Sought In Creek Co. Animal Abuse Case

By Jennifer Loren, The News On 6

BRISTOW, OK -- Authorities are looking for a second person in the case of a dog dragged behind a truck. One man has been arrested. Now, investigators say they need to identify a woman and there's a big reward for information leading to her identity.

It's been five months since Sammy was a victim of animal cruelty. According to eye witnesses in Creek County, he was tied to the bumper of a truck and dragged at close to 70 miles per hour for almost a mile. Sammy survived, but was severely injured. He's now taken care of by the people who saved his life at the Bristow Veterinary Hospital.

"He just has the type of eye that uh, makes you, draws an affinity to him and that's what I saw the night that he came in. I saw an animal that wanted to live," said Dr. William H. Mitchell.

The man witnesses say drove the truck, 20- year-old Cody Hahn, was arrested and bound over for trial on animal cruelty charges. But, witnesses say there was a woman with Hahn that day. They say she coaxed the dog to the truck and tied it to the bumper before Hahn took off.

"This was such a serious case. This dog was terribly injured. Umm, it was almost skinned alive," said Ruth Steinberger with Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

No one has said who the woman was. That's why the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals and the Oklahoma Humane Federation are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to her identification.

"We just feel it's very, very important that anyone in the community that are, anyone who has a little bit of information they think may be relevant contact the Creek County Sheriff's Office and let them know," said Ruth Steinberger with Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

Witnesses say they would recognize her if they saw her.

"This was a horrible crime. We want to make a point across Oklahoma that this is not tolerated," said Ruth Steinberger with Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

Cody Hahn was supposed to be arraigned on Monday, but it was delayed until July.

Meanwhile, the Creek County Sheriff's Office will hold a press conference regarding the search for the female suspect this Wednesday at the Dog Dish in Tulsa.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Creek County Sheriff's Office at (918) 224-4964.