The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for mutilating the ears of a six-month-old dog near Austin, according to a statement by the society released this week.

The dog, Lionel, is a pitbull/Staffordshire terrier that was found near rural Waltham as a stray and taken to the Mower County Humane Society. Volunteers speculate his ears may have been cut so he could be a “fighting dog” or to appear menacing.

“Those who abuse animals can be dangerous to people,” stated Jill Fritz, The HSUS’ Minnesota state director. “Citizens of Mower County should be concerned that someone out there is capable of demonstrating such callous disregard for suffering.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Terese Amazi at 1-800-437-9409. Lionel is available for adoption through the Mower County Humane Society, which can be reached at (507) 437-9262 or by visiting www.mowercountyhumanesociety.org.