SEATTLE -- An animal rescue group has launched an investigation into a dog poisoning case in West Seattle.

Mo (short for Mohawk) was poisoned last week near Westcrest Park, according to officials with Pasado's Safe Haven.

The chow mix barely survived the incident and spent a week in emergency veterinary care as a result.

Pasado's first rescued Mo in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Workers found the dog unable to walk after having gone for two weeks without food or water. The workers gave him the name "Mohawk" for the way his hair looked when they found him.

Since then, Mohawk was adopted by a local family, who have no idea why anyone would want to poison their dog.

Intentional animal cruelty is a felony in the state with a sentence of up to 5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Pasado's is now offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. Tips can be left anonymously at (206) 300-7217.