Fourth Skinned Body of Dog Found in Lakewood

Whoever is skinning dogs and dumping their bodies in Lakewood has struck again, the fourth time since early December.

Even with a $2,000 reward, the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says it has no solid leads in finding the dog skinner--or even in finding out why the person or persons are neatly removing the dogs’ coats.

“We don’t know if someone is doing this for the pelts or what,” SPCA Sgt. Dave Havard said Tuesday after the latest carcass was found behind a Lakewood fast-food restaurant.

It was the third time a carcass had been found at Carl’s Jr. at 5535 Del Amo Blvd., and like the others, it was found in a plastic trash bag beside a dumpster.

“We don’t know what to make of it. An ordinary person wouldn’t think of anything like this. I hope they find something,” said Paul Mitchell, vice president of public relations for Carl Karcher Enterprises in Anaheim, the corporate owner of Carl’s.

The first dog was found in an alley behind Ralph’s Grocery Market at 5951 E. Del Amo Blvd. in early December. A few weeks later two more were found behind Carl’s, Havard said.

There are similarities in all of the cases, leading Havard to believe the same person skinned the dogs: all the carcasses were lying next to dumpsters, fur was left on the paws and the dogs were medium to large size, perhaps Afghans or some type of mixed breed.

The skinnings appeared to be professionally done, with no tears or gouges on the carcasses, Havard said.

A necropsy to determine how the latest dog was killed is scheduled this week. Examinations of the other dogs did not provide any clues, Havard said.

In February, an anonymous donor offered a $1,000 reward, which was matched by the SPCA, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. It is a misdemeanor to kill a dog or cat with the intent of selling or giving away the pelt. The maximum sentence is six months in County Jail or a $1,000 fine or both.