Black Sabbath Band Member Contributes To Reward For Dog Killer

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Black Sabbath band member contributed $2,500 to help catch a dog killer in Boyle Heights.

Geezer Butler's contribution boosted the reward to $22,500 being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit, Judy Mancuso announced during a City Hall news conference. She is president of the animal advocacy group - Social Compassion in Legislation.

The canine was killed around 1:30 p.m. on May 14 in the 1600 block of East First Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A witness told police he saw a small dog jump out of a Dodge Caravan. The driver also got out, chased down the dog and repeatedly punched it before throwing it down onto the sidewalk until the animal was dead. The man got back into his van and took off.

The suspect was described as white, about 6-feet-2 and 280 pounds, with balding gray hair, between 50 and 60 years old.

The witness also got a picture of the man's van, which appeared to be a silver Dodge Caravan from 1996 through 2000 with an off-color bumper.

The dog was a light-colored Yorkshire Terrier, weighing about 10 pounds, according to Detective Alfredo Reyes of the LAPD's animal cruelty task force.

Councilman Paul Koretz said he was "outraged that someone who would beat a small dog to death is still at large" and feared that person may also be capable of harming others.

Koretz has introduced a motion requesting that the city offer a $10,000 reward. The council is expected to vote on it Friday.

Anyone with information on the man was asked to call Reyes at (213) 486- 0450.

Tipsters can also contact the LAPD's 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD-24-7 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.