Mutilated Coyotes, Not Dogs, Dumped In Creek

INGALLS, Ind. -- The numerous dismembered animals found dumped in an Indiana creek last week were coyotes, not dogs, officials said Tuesday.

The Indiana Board of Animal Health made the determination this week after an investigation, Madison County sheriff's Maj. Brian Bell told Indianapolis TV station WRTV.

An Ingalls resident found the dismembered and skinned animal carcasses late last week and alerted authorities.

At first, police thought the animals were greyhounds.

In Indiana, coyotes can be hunted and trapped on private property or with written permission from a landowner.

The Madison County Humane Society offered a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case, but authorities said there may not be any arrests.

"As far as the state law goes, the disposal of dead animals … only applies to livestock -- horses, cattle, sheep, hogs -- species like that," said Denise Derrer of the Indiana Department of Animal Health.

Wildlife, small game and domesticated animal carcasses are exempt from the rule and can be legally disposed of at landfills or through a veterinarian's office.

If the animals were hunted or trapped illegally, then the Department of Natural Resources could file charges.