The reward in a case of animal cruelty on North Whidbey was recently increased to $15,000.

Pasado’s Safe Haven and Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation are offering the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for throwing a dog out of a moving car Monday, March 6.

The reward was originally set at $2,000.

The suspect or suspects may be guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree, which is a felony, according to the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred on State Highway 20 near the intersection with Banta Road. A witness reported that a white-colored, four-door SUV slowed and a rear passenger opened the door and threw a reddish-colored pit bull out of the vehicle. The SUV swerved and struck the dog.

A vehicle following behind also struck the dog.

Others at the scene transported the badly injured dog to the Pet Emergency Center in Mount Vernon. The dog was then moved to Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation in Island County.

The dog was humanely euthanized because of the extent of the injuries, according to Island County animal control.

The pit bull was about 6 years old. She was a red-colored female with white on her chest.

• Anyone with information about the owner of the dog or the identity of the driver or occupants of the vehicle is asked to contact Barnes via the ICOM dispatch center at 360-679-9567 or Tips@co.island.wa.us