According to the report on CNN headline news there were 3 witnesses. Unfortunately headline news doesn't post a lot of their stories on the CNN site. I found the one i posted on a local TV site.
Even if they were gung ho PETA type people, why would any one who is trying to "rescue" the animal doing stuff like that? Just my opinion.
I can appreciate your viewpoint here whip, and your love for animals. Never in question. I just think that it's pretty clear that whoever did it, is deserving of a severe beating with short lumber.