Hundreds of people and their pets gathered in Nose Hill Park on Saturday to bring awareness to the plight of two animals which died as a result of the heinous actions of an unknown person.

Last week, the bodies of a husky and a kitten were discovered in a Willow Park alleyway, their mouths taped shut.

The Nose Hill gathering included the signing of a petition to increase the severity of animal cruelty laws.

“We’re trying to change it so that our pets are not considered property and harsher penalties for those who abuse pets,” explains Shalane Pryce of Southern Alberta Pet Connections. “(That’s) what we’re looking for.”

Southern Alberta Pet Connections and Vets to Go are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection to the animal abuse case. The organizations collected donations to fund the reward and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support they have received. The groups have capped the reward at $20,000 and all additional donations will help fund the Calgary Humane Society’s Investigation Unit to assist in the prosecution of animal abuse cases.

Animal Bylaw Services and Calgary police continue to investigate the deaths of the two animals.