Man wanted in dog assault outside Spokane City Hall

The 5-pound dog pulled out of a car and smashed against Spokane City Hall last week has pneumonia, is dehydrated and unable to swallow, according to SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.’s director who spoke with the dog’s owners last night. Gail Mackey said the dog, Cocoa Butter, is moving around. The 4-year-old Shih Tzu was in a Volvo on Post Street about 7 p.m. June 22 while her owners were at a movie, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Surveillance video shows a male walking past the car, then kicking in the car’s window, pulling out the dog and swinging her on her leash before smashing her against the building. A female tries to pull the man away. The dog has life-threatening injuries and may not survive, officials said. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information about who hurt the dog by Red Lion Hotels in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (509) 327-5111 or online. Tipsters do not have to leave their name to be eligible but should provide a code name or number. Those who would like to contribute money for the Shih Tzu’s care may do so through SpokAnimal by calling (509) 534-8133, via PayPal to mailbox@spokanimal.org or checks mailed to P.O. Box 3151, Spokane WA, 99220. Make sure to note the donation is for Cocoa Butter.