Tipsters in San Diego County animal abuse cases to receive rewards up to $1,000

Following several recent high-profile cases of animal abuse, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services will begin providing rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in felony animal cruelty cases, officials announced Wednesday.

The department is working with the San Diego County Crime Stoppers program, which has paid out more than $500,000 over the last 25 years in cases of violence against people and destruction of  property. The new program expands the reward program to cases of animal cruelty.

Tips can be made anonymously to (888) 580-8477 or www.sdcrimestoppers.com.

"We encourage everyone in our community to be our eyes and ears in the fight against animal cruelty," said Lt. Daniel DeSousa of the Department of Animal Services.

Recent abuse cases include a dog found stabbed to death and two puppies found with their ears cut off. Also, a man in Ramona pleaded guilty to owning and training dogs for fighting, and another admitted slamming a cat against a wall.

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-- Tony Perry in San Diego