On Tuesday morning, authorities in Michigans Washtenaw County announced the discovery of two more dead dogs in Superior Township, bringing the total number of dogs to nine since March 16.
The dogs, both adult male American Pit Bull Terriers found late Monday afternoon, apparently did not die of natural causes. However, they were not hit by cars, said Tanya Hilgendorf, executive director of the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Hilgendorf also told the local media that X-rays of a Cocker Spaniel found Sunday with a hole in its head revealed that the dog was not shot, as initially believed, but suffered a blunt trauma.
We're very concerned, and we're taking it very seriously, Hilgendorf told the Associated Press. We would like to caution people especially to keep close watch on their animals, dogs and cats, and not let them out unsupervised.
The Humane Society has had an animal cruelty investigator working the case full time, and on Monday the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office assigned a detective to assist.
The first dead dog, a female Rottweiler, was found on March 16.
Julie Curtis, cruelty investigator for the humane society, said the dog killer may be just one person, but also said a motive is still unclear. Curtis said she's fielded 250 calls since the gruesome discoveries began.
The Humane Society believes the killings are all connected, but still has many questions about the case, including how and where the animals died.
Besides the dogs, more than 30 foxes, coyotes, and deer have been found in the same three mile radius of Superior Township, near Ann Arbor, since January.
Anyone with information on the dog killings is asked to call the Humane Society at (734) 662-5585, ext. 127. A reward in the case has been raised to $13,000.
Posted: March 29, 2006, 5 a.m. EST