ROCKFORD--Computer enthusiasts penning misty poetry and demanding retribution have taken up the cause of 19 dead dogs found in Rockford two weeks ago.

Networking through a computer Web site, dog lovers are pressuring local prosecutors for the arrest of the former dog groomer who apparently abandoned the house where the animal remains were found.

No charges have been filed against Allen Ray Miller, last seen June 16 by a friend in Florida.

Winnebago County State's Attorney Paul Logli said his office has gotten 200 to 300 telephone calls a day, 30-50 voice mail messages and three to four dozen faxes since the Web site appeared a week or so ago.

"Dog lovers call this murder", Logli said, "But in our society, murder still refers to human beings. This is cruelty to animals or failure to dispose of animal carcasses properly."

Debbie Stover, a Dallas dog lover who organized the Web site under the name Showdog Magazine, said she cannot understand why Rockford authorities have not issued a warrant to bring Miller in for questioning.

Stover said she has used the Web site to encourage other animal rights activists to join her campaign pressuring Logli.

"I am not a vigilante", she said. "I just happen to have a Web site, and I speak my mind."

A Web site is an online bulletin board where computer users communicate with one another.

But Kathy DeShong, president of the Illinois-based Giant Schnauzer Club of America, said the online crusade was organized by radicals.

DeShong, who lives near St. Louis, said she agrees that the Rockford case must be investigated. But she labeled the tactics targeting Logli "obstructionist".

"People react instead of think these things through logically", she said.

Poetry on the Web site refers to the 19 dead schnauzers as "abused and neglected fur babies".

"We, the giant schnauzer community, want Miller in custody so we can find out why the dogs were killed and who did it", it declares. "This is one of, if not THE, most heinous acts of cruelty that anyone could ever commit deliberately."

Logli said an arrest warrant for Miller, former owner of Groomingdale's pet salon in Rockford, cannot be issued without proof of a crime.

Animal services officers first suspected the dogs starved to death. Miller's friend, Judy Hartwig of Bradenton, Fla., said he told her they were poisoned with antifreeze by an intruder at his former residence.

Hartwig said Miller moved to Florida in February and disappeared the day after authorities found the dog's remains.

Roger Tresemer, Winnebago County Animal Services supervisor, said no tests were done to determine how the dogs died.

"All we had were bones", Tresemer said.

Rockford Police Lt. Dan Gray said county authorities this week turned over the case to the detective bureau.