Girl Finds Dog's Head In Gift-Wrapped Box
Her Dog Had Been Missing For Weeks; Homicide Investigators Probe "Implied" Threat
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Crystal Brown, 17, wipes away tears in St. Paul, Minn., on March 14, 2007, as she looks at a notice she had posted around her neighborhood after her dog Chevey went missing in February. Two weeks ago, Brown received a gift-wrapped package with her severed dog's head inside. Her new puppy, Diesel, plays beside her. (AP Photo/Minneapolis Star Tribune)
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Homicide investigators were looking into the case because of the "implied" terroristic threat, St. Paul Police Sgt. Jim Gray said. The Humane Society of the United States said Wednesday that it was offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
"This was extraordinarily heinous," said Dale Bartlett, the Humane Society's deputy manager for animal cruelty issues. "I deal with hundreds and hundreds of cruelty cases each year. When I read about this case, it took my breath away. It's horrible."
"That level of depravity is beyond belief," Bartlett said.
After Crystal Brown's 4-year-old Australian shepherd mix wandered away last month, she peppered the neighborhood with "missing" posters, and went door to door looking for him. She called the St. Paul animal shelter and rode the bus there several times.
"I felt empty," Crystal said. "I couldn't talk to anyone. He was my dog. It was just me and him. ... I told him everything and he never shared any of my secrets."
Two weeks ago, a gift-wrapped box was left at the house Crystal shares with her grandmother. The box had batteries on top, and a note that said "Congratulations Crystal. This side up. Batteries included."
Crystal opened the box and found her dog's head inside. The box also contained Valentine's Day candy.
Crystal screamed when she saw her dog's face, the Star Tribune reported.
"She was just hysterical," said Crystal's grandmother, Shirley Brown. "She was screaming. She said, 'Grandma, it's my dog's head.'
Authorities say the case is an isolated incident and the suspect likely knew the family. A motive is unclear.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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See all 95 CommentsI hope the Minnesota authorities find this guy... and feed him into a wood chipper.
This is unforgivable. I have had to rescue animals alot, from cars, pipes...etc. This is pure unadulterated evil.
i wonder if this was her neighbor....
this is crazy. I am really glad is 17 tho and not at a age where this could really scar her. It will still have its effects tho.
Traditionally, dogs have been seen as impure, and the Islamic legal tradition has developed several injunctions that warn Muslims against most contact with dogs. Unfortunately, many Muslims have used this view to justify the abuse and neglect of dogs, even though cruelty contradicts the Qur'an's view that all animals form "communities like you." We are pleased to present several articles examining the place of dogs in Islam.
Very high muslim population in Minnesota. First elected muslim representative in Minnesota. Muslim cab drivers refusing service to people with seeing eye dogs or alcohol in their cabs. Muslim grocery store clerks refusing to handle pork in the check out.
I think there is a problem in Minnesota.
the fact that this sicko obviously singled out the child herself to get his/her sadistic jollys from signals someone on the edge of bigger things to come...this person needs to be caught & removed from society before they escalate into human subjects...I would say it was someone in the neighborhood...this is a very dangerous & sick person....my heart goes out to Crystal....
Posted by nautiq
I'm not stupid and does your IQ drop a point with every "stupid post you read? So what is your IQ now? About 64?
We shall see if and when they find this person.
Posted by nautiq at 01:14 PM : Mar 15, 2007
No, it does not deserve a life sentence in prion. It demands a commitment to a psychiatric hospital until it is determined that he's no longer a danger to himself or others. Study after study after study have shown that most serial killers start out by torturing and killing animals, esp pets of theirs or others. It displays a sociopathic tendency that can not be ignored. Whoever would do this to a helpless pet is only one very very tiny step away from doing it to a child. he is mentally ill and needs to be committed.
Posted by nautiq
Ditto.......................
TRhis is a Troll. Please do not make the mistake I did and feed this troll. I'm sorry.
Please don't feed the troll. Thank you.
The individual(s) that killed this young lady's pet is unquestionably a threat to Crystal as well as others. I am hopeful that this will receive sufficient attention encouraging somebody to step forward with information. At that point we turn it over to the Justice System which is unfortunately lenient with young offenders.
An ex-boyfriend of my daughter committed three felonies. As he was 18 at the time the judge allowed him to serve no jail time and instead spend a few months in a "boot camp."
Less than 30 days after he was released he murdered my daughter.
Our Justice System has first a responsibility to protect the populace, not to "reform" young people that have chosen a life of crime. When the individual(s) responsible for mutilating Crystal's dog are caught I hope that a judge that recognizes their primary duty is responsible for sentencing.
My heart goes out to Crystal and her family.
Drew Crecente
Director, Jennifer Ann's Group
www.JenniferAnn.org
Director, Jennifer Ann's Group
www.JenniferAnn.org
Posted by drew30319 at 02:18 PM : Mar 15, 2007
My most sincere condolences to you and your family. I agree that for far too long crimes like this one have been passed off far to lightly and not been seen for what they are, early indicators of diseased minds. Intervention is this perpetrators life now may or may not help him, but keeping this sick individual off the streets for treatment will certainly make those around him and society in general safer. Torturing helpless animals is one of the seeds for a growing serial killer.
People who have to post something as sick as yours, and then admit that you get a kick out of the response, is a very sick person. Your soul is as black as the person who committed this heinous act. And why did you have to make fun of RandalDS by saying he is sweet, as if there were something wrong with that. What if he is sweet at least he's not a cold hearted *** like you. People like you who make fun of others and their tragedy to fullfill yourself in some sick way is in need of serious therapy.
I am so tired of your tirades. You need to start your own blog or some other kind of web site to spew your hatefull political rants. Do you have any friends that think like you do or do you just go around the web finding people to harrass? You make me sick and I am tired of reading your ignorant hate filled ***.
Posted by Agnim...
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And YOU,are as sick as the person who did this. NO feelings, just a cold human being.
The person who did this, should have THEIR head severed. An eye for an eye, people. Disgusting piece of trash.
Posted by Agnim at 02:32 PM : Mar 15, 2007
For the person who said this guy did her a favor, what are you thinking?
Posted by lilmissdahl at 02:36 PM : Mar 15, 2007
Well you see, that's the problem. Agnim doesn't think. he/she applies the same logic to just about every post he/she writes. There is no compassion, no thought for anyone other than self, a lot of anger and apparently a complete lack of empathy. The clinical term for the traits agnim exhibits in his posts is "sociopathic".
Unfortunatly, there is a current climate in this country where he, and others like him, are not only not ashamed to speak their minds, but have been allowed to believe it is actually a superiour train of thought.
Well, I can only hope karma exists and that what comes around goes around. That which you sew, so shall ye reap.
This is a Troll. Please do not feed this Troll. Thank you.
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