Reward in Echo Park animal deaths grows to $5,000

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information about the deaths of seven animals that were found arranged in a circle in ritualistic fashion in Echo Park.

This is the second reward offered by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals since the animals were found near the group’s headquarters on Sunset Boulevard.

PETA officials say that the animals appeared to have been victims of a “satanic or other ritualistic killing.”

The dead animals -- a cat, four pigeons, a crow and a seagull -- were found lying on leaves and covered by a tree branches on Sunset near Rosemont Avenue.

Now, PETA says they received a report of a missing cat in the same neighborhood.

“At least seven animals have been found killed, meaning that all animals are in danger as long as the perpetrator is still at large,” PETA Director Martin Mersereau said.

He urged anyone with information about the deaths to come forward. PETA is hoping the reward leads to an arrest and conviction.

Mersereau cautioned “all families to keep their animal companions indoors and in their sight at all times.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to investigate the incident, PETA said.

Anyone with information was asked to call PETA at (757) 622-7382, Ext. 8037.

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