SPCA SAYS KILLER NO COYOTE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

The debate over who or what killed an Encino woman's pug dog continued to simmer Thursday after the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released its own findings that the canine was killed by a malicious human, not a coyote.

The SPCA presented its report to Los Angeles City Attorney James Hahn during a City Hall press conference, but the group's findings are at odds with the city Animal Services Department, which insists Pal the pug died after it was partially skinned by a coyote.

Hahn, who reviewed graphic videotape of the dog's necropsy and other evidence at the news conference, said he now is unsure whether Pal was killed by a coyote.

``It's difficult to rule out a human suspect,'' Hahn said. ``I've got an open mind on this, and I'm not sure this was a coyote attack.''

However, Hahn said his office won't launch an inquiry but instead would review the SPCA's investigation.

Madeline Bernstein, executive director of SPCA/LA, said the necropsy and other evidence leave no room for any other conclusion.

``I wish I could say it was done by a coyote,'' she said at the news conference called by Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden. ``But based on what I've seen, I have to say this was done by a human.''

Bernstein said her agency, which has police powers to investigate animal cruelty cases, is pursuing leads called in after $26,000 in reward money was offered. She said two leads remain open, although she would not provide any details.

Jerry Greenwalt, assistant general manager of Animal Services, stood by the city's own necropsy studies performed on the dog's body.

``Our vet and the county vet both agree this was done by a coyote,'' Greenwalt said. ``We stand by our findings. We've had lots of coyote attacks that were similar to this.''

But Bernstein, who showed a videotape of separate necropsies, said she is convinced that a human was responsible because of the precision with which the dog's pelt was removed and the fact it hadn't been eaten.

Holden also called on Stuart R. Ellins, an authority on coyote behavior who disputed the city's findings.

``Coyotes are efficient killers,'' Ellins said. ``It wouldn't have taken a coyote, even a young one, more than a minute or two to kill a dog of this size. There were no signs the dog had been eaten, none of the wounds were consistent with a coyote attack. And a coyote wouldn't take a piece of pelt with him.''

Pal died on April 2 after his owner, Avis Wilkinson, discovered the bleeding animal in her back yard. She and her daughter took the dog to a veterinarian, but it died. Dr. Keith Richkind said he felt Pal had been attacked by a human.