Reward doubles in Otis' death as trail goes cold

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November 11, 2009

By Patrick Anderson The Gloucester Daily Times Wed Nov 11, 2009, 10:24 PM EST

There have been no breaks in the investigation into who killed Otis, the West Gloucester Labrador retriever found dead near his Bray Street home in September. And the reward for information regarding the case has been doubled.

Two men identified as having been in the area around the time of Otis' death were eliminated as suspects in late October after they denied involvement and passed lie detector tests, Gloucester police Detective Steve Mizzoni said.

He said that, while police keep searching, right now there are no other leads.

Because of donations from outraged dog lovers in the region, however, the reward for information leading to a conviction has been boosted to $2,000.

The 3-year-old Labrador was found dead in a clearing in the woods by its owner the morning after he went missing, the victim of blunt force trauma to the midsection.

Hunters were the early targets of the investigation, but police have so far been unable to prove that they were involved.

Contrary to rumors floated early in the investigation, detectives do not believe the dog was hit by a car.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offered a $1,000 reward within days of media reports of Otis' death. Since that time, more than $1,000 in donations from people throughout New England has led the MSPCA to double the reward, which is for information leading to a conviction in the case.

"This is obviously an act of cruelty that galvanized the town and pulled at the heartstrings," said MSPCA spokesman Brian Adams.

Anyone with information about the incident can leave a confidential message for Gloucester detectives at 978-281-9753 or the MSPCA tip line at 617-522-6008.

If no one is convicted in connection with Otis' death, contributions will go to the MSPCA's investigation of other incidents of animal cruelty. There is no expiration date to the award.

Patrick Anderson can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3455, or via e-mail at panderson@gloucestertimes.com