Animal cruelty suspect sought for duct-taping goats, 1 animal de - CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8

Animal cruelty suspect sought for duct-taping goats, 1 animal dead

FALLBROOK (CNS) - Sheriff's deputies Friday asked the public to help identify the person who duct-taped the snouts and legs of two goats at the agricultural department at Fallbrook High School, causing the death of one animal.

The incident occurred about 5 a.m. June 15, which was the last day of school, and may have been a senior prank gone wrong, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

A security guard reported seeing a male of about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds in a livestock pen with the two Tennessee Fainting goats inside. The male ran away when the guard shined a flashlight on him, authorities said.

The guard removed the duct tape from the goats' snouts but for one of the animals, it was too late. A necropsy -- the animal equivalent of an autopsy -- revealed that the goal died from suffocation, authorities said.

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case. An additional $2,000 reward is being offered by the San Diego Animal Advocates.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact Sheriff's Detective Jim Pucillo at (760) 451-3100. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at www.sdcrimestoppers.com.