The Zig Zag Memorial Reward, named for the dog Zig Zag who was burned, beaten and tortured for hours in Southern California before mercifully dying, is offered in the hopes that it will break the silence and encourage people to step forward and give information.

The Nevada Division of Agriculture as well as officials from Washoe and Storey counties are investigating the murder of the 34 horses who were found shot to death in a remote area outside Reno last week. The horses, wild mustangs who used to roam the canyons and hillsides just east of Reno, were apparently shot at close range and left to die. Some wounded horses limped for miles before finally dying. Others, including a young filly, were found barely clinging to life and had to be destroyed due to the severity of their gun shot wounds.

"The senseless murder of these magnificent creatures must be exposed and punished," said Deanna Soares, UAN Executive Director. "Whoever committed this heinous crime is an extremely cruel individual who remains a danger to defenseless animals and to the entire community."

The $2,500 Zig Zag Memorial Reward from United Animal Nations is added to the more than $35,000 in rewards that have been posted for an arrest in this case from animal organizations nationwide.

United Animal Nations is a national animal-advocacy group based in Sacramento, California. UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) has rescued thousands of animals in over 45 major disasters across the country.