Rogers County DA: 'I Consider Investigation Into Dog's Death Open'

The district attorney's office said it has received new information and has "heard the cries for justice" into the death of a black lab.

Friday, September 7th 2012, 12:43 pm

By: News On 6


Rogers County District Attorney Janice Steidley announced Friday that she has asked the sheriff's office to reopen the investigation into the death of Jetta, a black Labrador retriever.

Steidley said in a statement: "Our office received new information as late as [Thursday] night. Based upon the new information that has been brought to my attention I have requested the Rogers County Sheriff's Office re-open their case and investigate the new leads that have been presented to the District Attorney's Office. At this point, I consider this case to still be an open investigation and because of that I cannot discuss any facts or evidence that has been presented to this office."

9/2/2012 Related Story: Rogers County Dog Reportedly Dragged To Death

Deputies said it appeared as though the dog might have been dragged to its death behind a vehicle outside Chelsea on August 1. On Wednesday, they said they didn't believe that to be the case any longer.

The case has received a large amount of public attention.

As first reported by NewsOn6.com, sources said a man voluntarily came forward on Monday saying he found the dog on his property on August 29. He said the dog had either been hit by a car or injured in some type of accident.  He said the dog was suffering, so he shot her to put her out of her misery.

The man said he left her in his yard, but when the body started to smell, he used wire to drag her to the side of the road without having to touch her. News On 6 sources said witnesses backed up the man's story.

9/5/2012 Related Story: New Details Shed Light On Death Of Rogers County Family's Dog

The family said they found their pet, dead and tied with baling wire around its legs, and called authorities September 1. They believe it was dragged to its death. The dog's owner, Melody Patton, told News On 6: "We don't know if [the dog] was shot first or she was still alive when [she was dragged]."

After the unidentified man came forward, the RCSO forwarded a report to the district attorney's office on Wednesday, but didn't consider the case closed.

The DA's office said in the statement that it has "heard the cries for justice loud and clear and [is] doing everything possible to answer them. At this point, the contacts with our office or the sheriff's office that will move the case forward are those which involve direct physical evidence or witnesses who actually saw any kind of interaction between Jetta and a person or persons between Wednesday, Aug. 29. and Saturday, Sept. 1.

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

"We love animals and are working tirelessly to resolve this case. The fact that we are receiving and processing leads at night speaks volumes about the level of our commitment," Steidley's statement said.

Outraged animal lovers, including former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer, pooled donations for information in the case.

If you have any information for the Rogers County District Attorney about this case, please call 918-341-3620.

9/4/2012 Related Story: Rogers County Sheriff's Office Forwards Investigation Report About Dog's Death

 

 

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