A rush of tips helped police identify two people accused of killing animals at a Petland store in Oklahoma City this month.
The Oklahoma City Police Department reported the slayings took place on July 13, after a male and female walked into the pet store about 12 miles northwest of downtown.
This week, the department asked the public for help and released a photo of the pair captured on video inside the store.
On Wednesday, police Sgt. Gary Knight told USA TODAY investigators had identified the pair.
Police have not named either suspect captured on video footage but Knight said they will be identified when they have been arrested and charged.
Donkeys found shot in California:5 burros found fatally shot in California’s Death Valley National Park, officials say
According to a police report obtained by USA TODAY, the pair entered the pet store just before 3:30 p.m. local time. Prior to the alleged killings, they played with a puppy at the store after requesting it, the report said.
Police reported the male suspect broke the neck of a caged parakeet inside the store, then reportedly strangled a bunny. Before he left the store, the report said, the male suspect stole a hamster and a guinea pig while the female suspect acted as a lookout.
The following day, police said store staff found the hamster stomped to death in the parking lot.
As of Wednesday the guinea pig had not been located. Police said the puppy was not injured.
A boy, his music and shelter dogs:10-year-old boy uses musical gift to soothe homeless dogs at Texas shelter
"Animals don't have a voice, so we have to be the voice, and we have to make sure justice is done when it's needed," Crystal Slocum, an administrative specialist with OKC Animal Welfare, told KOCO News 5.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Oklahoma police.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
2024-12-25 12:22407 view
2024-12-25 11:191108 view
2024-12-25 11:012675 view
2024-12-25 10:592809 view
2024-12-25 10:562295 view
2024-12-25 10:221272 view
A federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical ne
Washington — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday denounced Texas Gov. Greg Abbo
There are several reasons you might consider trading Bitcoin futures on this platform, some of which