LOS ANGELES – A reward being offered for information leading to whoever has been burning dogs with caustic chemicals in the Antelope Valley jumped to $50,000 Tuesday, thanks to a $25,000 private donation announced by Los Angeles County officials.
Supervisor Michael Antonovich had initially proposed a $10,000 reward, but contributions from private sources led to that total being increased to $25,000 before it was approved by the Board of Supervisors last week.
La Pietra Foundation then offered to put up $25,000 more, and its donation was accepted by the board Tuesday.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has offered a $2,500 reward for information in the case. An unidentified NBC4 viewer also posted a $2,000 reward.
The crimes against dogs — which Antonovich called “depraved acts of cruelty” — came to light last month when a golden retriever was brought to a Lancaster animal shelter suffering from severe burns on its neck and back.
The dog, which has since been named Fergus, was brought to the shelter Aug. 11 and subsequently turned over to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles, where he is continuing to recover.
Doctors said they believe somebody poured battery acid or some other type of corrosive material on the canine.
Three pit bulls were also found with similar injuries in recent weeks, and two of them had to be euthanized, animal control officials said.
The pit bull that survived has been named Crissie, and she is being treated at the Pets R Us Veterinary Hospital in Palmdale, according to the rescue that pulled her from the Lancaster animal shelter. [Read more about Crissie here.]
The Sheriff’s Department said at least seven dogs – Fergus, Crissie and five pit bulls or pit mixes — had been found or brought to shelters with chemical burns on their backs since July 20, 2014.
Sheriff’s investigators said there may be additional cases and encouraged the public to immediately report any animals with similar burns.
Anyone with information should call Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Detective Daniel Gore at (661) 940-3851 or (661) 948-8466, or the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at (661) 974-8096.
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Previous related stories:
Injured pit bull on road to recovery
$25K reward approved in suspected animal cruelty case
Antonovich to propose $25K reward in AV dog abuse case
Burned dog recovering, investigation launched to find abuser
*** says
Have our ;local LASD lost their minds? Or are they just that lazy? Sunburns?
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lancaster-dog-burns-sun-chemical-controversy-20151015-story.html
Lois says
Terrible! What type of sadistic person does this and receives enjoyment, gratification or power from it? Someone who does this doesn’t hesitate when it’s a child or a person.
Joe says
Channel 9 news showed another dog found in Apple Valley burned. So sad that this is spreading. Hopefully they are able to find the idiots that did this.
Proudmommy says
This is probably a dumb question, but can you get a humans fingerprints off of a dogs body? I’ve just been sitting here and thinking how can they find and catch those evil creatures doing this to these poor innocent doggies…if there is a way to lift a humans fingerprints off a dog in sure the sheriffs dep would have a forensic team working on it..but I was just curious if anyone out there knows if that is even possible?
Lopan says
Possible video was obtained and shown to palmdale sheriff … They blew it off and took zero action, but video shows two men spraying what could be a caustic substance over dogs, one of whom now has a burn over her eye area… Palmdale sheriff wouldn’t be bothered with the information. Couldn’t care less, and were rude as if bieng bothered… Sorry taxpayers you no longer count…
Anonymous says
It’s a flea and tick spray made by Hart. They have been told this is what is causing it but it’s not getting mentioned because it doesn’t sound as horrible. But in my opinion is worse because people will continue to buy and use this product incorrectly and continue to hurt these poor dogs. If you Google flea and tick spray burns you will notice the pattern right off the bat. This product by Hart is only $6 which is why is being used over Frontline which is much pricier. The problem is people do not read the instructions and spray it right on the dogs skin vs8 inches away and it causes that spider pattern. It is truly horrible because all of those dogs could not have been more kind. Especially Crissie.
so sad says
Are all of these dogs from the same neighborhood? I hope this jerk ends up burning himself bad or one of these dogs rips his ass apart. He needs to be caught before he’s starts his sadistic crap on people.
Lynn says
O.g I can’t even see this is do dog rescue and have never seen anything do horrific I hope they catch this person
Confused says
Are we sure this is intentional, over a course of 1 year, seven dogs were found we these burns…these I am sure were strays….the weather has been severely crazy this pst year and dogs do like to hide under vehicles and also get burns along their bags from crawling under hot vehicles because they are scared or are trying to hide for shade or comfort. Until I see these skin scrapings or skin biopsies… Then it will hopefully give us a more definite answer instead of assumptions….
OG says
The vets have confirmed a corrosive chemical. Not sure they care whether you believe them or not.
gc says
How the pic is it doesnt look accidents …plus they can hide but come on the dogs will feel pain to get to that point …even if they will be afraid they will go somewhere else…the dogs wont wait until it get to that point to get out of the car cuz even if the car is really hot when they go under i think it will take more then 4 min to get that bad cuz it is not just a little burn is alot and looks really bad so of course someone did it intentional plus in the news like someone said they did said it was because of a chemical..the dogs have burn in there back as well as in the face some of them
Quigley says
Your user name say’s it all!
David R Gardiner says
Is the reward going to be given if I bring in their corpse? Because if I knew who did this, I might just have to forego the money and take the satisfaction instead..
Quigley says
Agree…..the line is wrapping around the building!
joan says
We all need to keep watch on our animals and on our neighbors animals. Watch out for these monsters
joan says
Father God I pray that you bring these monsters to justice. I ask that you protect these helpless loving animals and bring swift justice to these monsters. In Jesus name Amen
m says
If anyone knows who is doing this, please please please report them. We all know this isn’t right and that the person doing this is dangerous to more than doggies. Let’s do the right thing here and protect the helpless!
Rochelle Tracey says
I hope they find these aholes and burn them
Kim says
I hope this rotten person or persons are caught what a horrible wicked thing to do to a poor defenseless animal scum is what they are and they should be named and shamed when caught