Probe of Animal Services Sought

In the continuing controversy over whether an Encino dog was skinned alive by humans or killed by a coyote, a Los Angeles city councilwoman called Tuesday for an investigation of the Department of Animal Services.

In calling for the inquiry, Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg cited contradictory conclusions reached by animal services and independent veterinarians.

Although the city agency concluded that the dog was killed by coyotes, three outside veterinarians declared the dog had been skinned with a knife.

Meanwhile, a private reward fund for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible reached $21,000, and a city councilman’s request for an additional $5,000 city reward was sent to committee.

The reward motion by Councilman Nate Holden will be considered Monday by the Public Safety Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Laura Chick.

Holden, the committee’s vice chairman, said he will request representatives of the Department of Animal Services--who so far have not complied with his requests to see their report--to attend the meeting to explain their findings.

Holden held a news conference Tuesday outside City Hall along with celebrities who contributed to the private reward offer.

The pug named “Pal” was found by its owner April 8, bleeding under a bush at a residence in the 16600 block of Morrison Street. The dog was taken to a Northridge veterinarian’s office, where it died a few hours later.

Melvyn Richkind, the veterinarian who first examined the dog, said the animal had been attacked by a person or persons using a sharp knife to remove the skin from the dog’s shoulders to the tail.

Peter Persic, a spokesman for animal services, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. But his agency, citing teeth marks as evidence, concluded last week that the pug had been killed by a coyote. However, Richkind and other animal welfare activists rejected that finding.

The carcass was subsequently examined by the Los Angeles chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and two outside veterinarians, who declared the dog had been skinned.

Celebrities at Tuesday’s conference included actor Mickey Rourke and his actress wife, Carrie Otis, who together pledged $5,000 for the reward fund, Holden said. “Chicago Hope” co-star Peter Berg pledged $1,000, and PETsMART stores pledged $5,000.

Holden said the SPCA-LA would give an additional $10,000 to whoever provides information if that person was not involved in the crime.