$5K reward offered after dog found zip-tied, covered in maggots in Minnesota woods

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward after a dog was found hurt, zip-tied and covered in maggots in the Minnesota woods.

According to WCCO-TV, St. Paul authorities received a report last week of a dog with a wire around his neck. Authorities arrived to find the animal in the woods near Clarence and Fourth streets.

“The animal control officer found the dog tied to a tree by his back leg,” the Humane Society said in a news release Tuesday. “The dog’s mouth was zip-tied shut so he could not chew through the rope holding him in place or bark for help. The dog was underweight, covered in maggots, and both the rope and zip tie were embedded down to the bone.”

The dog, later named Riptide, may have been there as long as two weeks, authorities said.

Animal rescue group Rescued Pets Are Wonderful said veterinarians had to amputate Riptide's leg and continue to treat his muzzle, the Pioneer Press reported. By Thursday morning, an online fundraiser for his treatment had received more than $20,000 in donations.

Christine Coughlin, the state director for HSUS, said the organization hopes that the $5,000 reward "helps find the person or persons who committed this heinous act."

If you have information about the case, call St. Paul Animal Control at 651-266-1100.

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Cox Media Group