| Case ID: 5167 |
| Classification: Burning - Fire or Fireworks |
| Animal: dog (pit-bull) |
| More cases in San Francisco County, CA |
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| Reward: $10,000 |
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Sunday, Jul 24, 2005
County: San FranciscoDisposition: Open
Case Images: 7 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
A pit bull that was apparently set on fire, to the horror of the people who saw the animal run into the dry grass in San Francisco's Bayview District on July 24, is recovering from burns on her belly and legs.
The cruelty is "disgusting, it's awful'' said Deb Campbell, spokeswoman for San Francisco Animal Care and Control. "If you think about it, it's probably pretty hard to set a dog on fire.''
The animal control officer who brought the dog in did not smell gasoline or any other flammable material, Campbell said.
She said the dog, which is about 1 year old, ``seemed healthy and sweet,'' adding that many people have called the agency to express interest in adopting the dog, which had no identification tags.
"Obviously, she's going to have a much better life from now on,'' Campbell said.
The dog is responding well to treatment at Pets Unlimited, a non-profit veterinary hospital and animal shelter, and is expected to recover. The unnamed dog could be released to Animal Care and Control on July 26, 2005.
A recent spate of attacks on humans by pit bulls, starting with the June 3 death of 12-year-old San Francisco resident Nicholas Faibish, has spurred alarm about the breed, including a bill that would allow California local governments to restrict specific breeds. But animal control officers say there's been no other evidence of a violent backlash against pits.
``There's been a lot of discussion or arguments about pit bulls,'' Campbell said. ``But we haven't seen anything like this.''
Whoever set the dog on fire could be charged with felony animal cruelty, she added.
Officials said they are investigating a number of leads, but urged anyone with useful information about the July 24 5 p.m. attack near Harbor and Northbridge roads, to report it to Animal Care and Control at info 415-554-9400.
Witnesses said they saw the burning dog run into the dry grass, sparking a grass fire that was put out by the fire department.
If you have information on this case, please contact:
Animal Care and Control
415-554-9400
Case Updates
| A pit bull, who veterinarians nicknamed Ember after someone set her on fire in San Francisco's Bayview District in late July, was euthanized on Aug 4. The fire burned off portions of Ember's skin on her belly, back, rear end, front paws and lip and a specialist determined that she could not survive her injuries, said Capt. Vicky Guldbech, of San Francisco Animal Care and Control. "We know that her suffering was not going to lead to her getting well,'' Guldbech said. "To have to see her that way was really bad.'' Ember had been hospitalized at veterinary hospital Pets Unlimited, since July 24, when she was set on fire. Her owner was part of the decision to put her down, Guldbech said. Investigators still looking for the person responsible and hoping a reward that has been established will help. The fund has reached some $10,000, thanks in part to a $2,500 donation from the Humane Society of the United States, Guldbech said. Anyone who knows anything about this incident is urged to call Animal Care and Control at (415) 554-9400. Those interested in donating to the Ember Fund can log on to The Friends of Animal Care and Control Web site at www.fsfacc.org. |
| Source: SFGate - Aug 4, 2005 Update posted on Aug 7, 2005 - 4:26AM |
| The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting a young pit bull dog on fire. According to news reports, animal control officers found a young, female pit bull suffering from severe burns in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. According to witnesses, the dog extinguished the flames by running through brush. She was rushed to Pets Unlimited veterinary hospital and is now expected to make a full recovery from burns to her back, belly, ears, lips and paws. The Investigators: San Francisco Animal Care and Control is investigating this case. Anyone with information should call (415) 554-9400. |
| Source: HSUS Update posted on Jul 28, 2005 - 5:33PM |
| A reward is being established in the case of the pit bull that was set on fire Sunday in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood. San Francisco Animal Care and Control is still looking for the person responsible and the department decided to set up the reward fund after receiving a number of calls from citizens wanting to know what they could do to help, spokeswoman Deb Campbell said today. "One thing we thought would help is to offer a monetary incentive," Campbell said. A few have called because they wanted to adopt the dog, which has been nicknamed Ember, and several people have claimed to be her owner. Animal care and control officers today are interviewing those who claim to own Ember and asking for some kind proof of ownership, such as a vet bill or photos of a dog, Campbell said. "We are looking for absolute proof and we haven't gotten it," Campbell said. Ember, a pure bread tab-and-white pit bull, was set on fire Sunday sometime around 5 p.m. The fire burned off portions of her skin on her belly, back, rear end, front paws and lips. Ember is still at veterinary hospital Pets Unlimited where she is being treated and "resting comfortably with pain medication," Campbell said. Anyone who knows anything about this incident is urged to call animal care and control at (415) 554-9400. The amount of the reward, which is being offered for information leading to the conviction and arrest of those responsible, has not yet been determined. Those interested in donating to the Ember Fund can log on to The Friends of Animal Care and Control Web site at www.fsfacc.org. |
| Source: ABC News - July 26, 2005 Update posted on Jul 28, 2005 - 1:08AM |
References
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