Ruby, a beautiful red pitbull ,was saved from the streets of Harrisburg, PA. She had clearly suffered and been abused; tortured by a rope, burns, lacerations, and a broken skull. When her new mom, who was able to secure her herself, cleaned her up, she was a beautiful “Ruby Red”. She became inseparable of her mom  her brother, Hades, and then her new baby brother who she watched over adoringly, supporting her mamma become a mamma. Ruby, despite her past, gave nothing but pure love.

Early 2024, Ruby and Hades’ mom went through a domestic violence situation and issue with her neighbor. She made the heartbreaking yet strong decision to put her dogs first to keep them safe, which unfortunately meant rehoming them. She went to detailed lengths interviewing couples who could provide the following: fenced in yard, keeping the dogs together,  having children as both dogs were attached to their human siblings, and agree that if anything ever happened the dogs would be returned directly to her.

She spent two months and found what seemed like the “perfect” couple. They spent days speaking and the couple promised pictures and open communication. She received updates and pictures from the couple but as time went on, she received less updates and was eventually blocked. Ruby and Hades mom felt something off and started checking Craigslist out of fear but after investigating each one, it wasn’t Ruby. 

In April 2024, she found a new Facebook of the couple and messaged them that she had a terrible dream about Ruby. She was given a short response and that was it. By the end of 2024, her domestic violence situation finally ended.

In late 2025, she received a Facebook message from an unknown contact with photos of the dogs and asking if they were rehomed to the couple. When she replied yes, she was instructed to contact the person via phone. When Ruby and Hades mom made the call, her heart sank. The person let her know that when the husband came home from work, he found Ruby missing. When he searched the property, he found her tortured and murdered in the basement. The husband wrapped Ruby’s lifeless body and dumped her in the shed instead of calling authorities. Hades was still alive and in need of placement immediately out of fear of what had/would happen to him.

The person who contacted Ruby and Hades mom was a relative of the couple who finally got an admission from the couple that the wife was the one who murdered Ruby. The family had questioned the couple due to them saying the dogs had been rehomed to the original owner which they also told to a dog warden who came to check. They also tried to say Ruby viciously attacked them but there was no evidence of an attack except for heinous acts done on both dogs.

Ruby suffered for lengths of time with this couple and died in agony. Hades was returned to his mom but not unscathed. He was returned to his mom in the same harness he left her with, caked with skin and hair. His eyes were so infected he needs surgeries, ears torn apart, cigarette burns and lesions on his skin, and smelled of cigarettes. In a bag given to her was a full face muzzle used on him to keep him quiet, his face with permanent marks left. Hades was evaluated by the vet the next day to find that he also lost 16 pounds with a grade three heart murmur from the neglect, abuse, and trauma . He will need a double eye repair, urinary tract, skin, and ear help. Hades mom was able to secure enough money through donations to give Hades the treatment he needs. 

She did contact police and there is an ongoing investigation. Ruby’s remains were found during a search with the rope used to secure her during her murder still around her body. Sweet Ruby, who had already beat her past succumbed to the torture at the hands of people who promised to love her and keep her safe. Her mom now lives with the guilt, when she was just trying to keep them safe. Her brother Hades now lives with the trauma. 

This shows that even the devil can hide in what appears to be an angel’s clothing. During the investigation, it came to light from family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers that this couple had been claiming to perform “sacrificial rituals with animals”. The wife would boast about it and in regards to Ruby quoted, “put that bitch where she belonged”. They have done this to other animals including, cats, lizards, and ducks. 

In Pennsylvania, neglect of an animal is a summary offense. Animal cruelty is a summary offense unless the bodily injury puts the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury then it is a misdemeanor of the third degree or second degree. Aggravated cruelty to an animal which includes torture is a felony of the third degree. Murder of an animal if it is due to aggravated cruelty can escalate to a felony of the third degree.

The penalties include: 

Third degree felony - up to 7 years in prison and a $15,000 dollar fine.

Misdemeanor of a second degree - up to 2 years in jail and a fine of $5,000

Misdemeanor of a third degree - up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,000

Summary offense - up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine

Repeat offenses of a second or subsequent aggravated cruelty can be elevated to a second-degree felony with a maximum of 10 years. 

The penalties of jail time and fines can vary depending on what they are charged with.

The people who did this admitted to her torture and murder but police believed they could not have acted alone. They will be charged with third degree felony and various summary offenses but is the maximum of 10 years enough? What about the other animals that lost their lives, the trauma Hades and his family now live with, and Ruby’s soul? Plus there was a young child in the home while this went on. We cannot allow this to continue to happen.

In PA if you neglect a person depending on severity can be a first degree misdemeanor or first degree felony if it leads to death. Torture and/or murder of a person in PA can lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty depending on severity.

Animals are living and breathing creatures who feel emotionally and physically just like humans. They also have to live with the mental trauma, but unlike humans cannot seek help and asylum unless a kind soul steps in for them.

This petition along with a letter to state representatives is urging PA to change the laws regarding animal cruelty. We are seeking justice for Ruby, Hades, and all the other souls who are suffering and lost each day in PA under similar situations. They need US to be their voice and protect them. No living and breathing creature should have to endure the pain, suffering, and trauma while their abuser is allowed such a low sentence. Animals provide us with pure love and the least we can do is  to protect them.

I encourage you to take a stand, use your voice, and support us as we try to seek justice for them and change the laws in PA to enact harsher penalties for such heinous acts. 

Ruby’s news story is linked here. Warning her murder is sensitive and is very sickening. 

A Gofundme is also linked for Hades treatment here.