Living Treasures Snapdragon, or "Snap", 6 year old bayregistered American Saddlebred gelding shot and butchered

SALT LAKE CITY, UT  (November 15, 2010) ­– It has been nearly two weeks since beloved horse Snap was found brutally mutilated in a field in Salt Lake City’s west side. The case is still being investigated by Salt Lake County Animal Services and the reward for information is now quadruple the original amount.

American Dog Rescue, which pledged the original reward of ,500, was joined by others, including the Humane Society of Utah, making the reward ,000. ADR just pledged an additional ,000, making the reward ,000.

“American Dog Rescue is committed to doing anything we can to help,” said ADR founder Arthur Benjamin. “Concerned citizens of Salt Lake are outraged that this happened. We can’t and won’t accept this abuse in our community. We demand justice for Snap and his bereaved guardian Jennifer Carrillo.”

Snap’s brutal murder has made national news and this sort of cruelty exists throughout the country. Horse slaughter was banned in the United States in 2006 but illegal slaughterhouses still operate here and traders ship live horses to Canada and Mexico to be killed. Benjamin is currently in Florida, where there has been found to be a significant black market for horse meat.

Snap’s body was found in a field at 5600 West and California Avenue on November 2. The 8-year-old American Saddlebred appeared to have at least one gun shot wound and portions of his body were cut off that are consistent with areas that would be removed for consumption, according to Salt Lake County officials.

The veterinarian who performed the necropsy confirmed that the placement of the gunshot and bloodstains that stretched out approximately 100 square feet around Snap’s body indicated the horse had suffered before he died.

“Snap was someone’s beloved companion and his horrific death is unacceptable. I implore anyone with information to come forward,” Benjamin said. “This is your opportunity to enable justice to be served, an example to be made and assure Snap did not die in vain.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Salt Lake Unified Police Department at 801-743-7045 or Salt Lake County Animal Services at 801-559-1100.

American Dog Rescue (www.americandogrescue.org) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to finding a home for every adoptable dog in the United States. American Dog Rescue is committed to placing healthy dogs in permanent homes that are the right fit for the animal and its family. Donations can be made by visiting www.americandogrescue.org/donate or calling (801) 944-3023.