Virginia police find sausages embedded with fish hooks, suspected culprit targeted dogs, owners

Police in northern Virginia are searching for the person who put sausages laced with fish hooks on city streets, in an apparent attempt to harm dogs or punish dog owners.

An animal services officer found nine pieces of sausage with fish hooks in them Friday at an intersection in Alexandria, Virginia. They were discovered after someone walking a dog discovered one that morning.

"We're looking for leads," an Alexandria Police Department spokesperson said Tuesday. 

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria says the laced sausages were put in the streets to intentionally harm animals.

Officers have talked to nearby residents with security cameras and asked them to review their footage to help identify whoever was responsible for leaving the sausages, according to DC News Now.

The animal welfare group is asking residents to help in identifying the perpetrator and is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. The group also is asking anyone with information to call this number (703) 746-6000.