Police are searching for the person who lit a dog on fire in a DeKalb County neighborhood over the weekend.
A large, male labradoodle was found “engulfed in flames” late Sunday morning off Lindsey Drive, according to a Facebook post by DeKalb police. The dog was running on the residential street before witnesses put out the fire. Police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent said the injured animal was found near Glenwood Road.
The dog was in critical condition Wednesday, and police were able to provide a photo of the injured animal early Thursday afternoon.
The dog appears to have previously been reported as lost, according to a flyer by DeKalb County Animal Enforcement Services. The dog already had some cuts in the photos from the flyer, but the dog’s injuries after the fire looked considerably worse.
Credit: DeKalb County Animal Enforcement Services
Credit: DeKalb County Animal Enforcement Services
Credit: DeKalb County Police Department
Credit: DeKalb County Police Department
Vincent said investigators have identified the dog’s owner, who has not been charged. Investigators are still searching for whoever is responsible for lighting the dog on fire. Investigators consider the incident to be an animal cruelty case.
The injured animal is in the care of Dog Days Rescue. Vincent said the animal rescue is “very grateful that the community cares so much,” adding that they “request that people not tie up the phone lines or email since they do have various rescue calls already constantly coming in.”
In a Facebook post, the animal rescue said the dog has some scars and old wounds, adding that “it looks like he’s been abused for quite awhile.” While the shelter did not know the dog’s name, their staff decided to name him Will due to the “sheer willpower it’s taken him to get this far in the life of abuse he’s lived.”
The dog’s medical treatment is expected to cost more than $5,000. Anyone who wants to donate can do so via PayPal, Venmo or Cashapp.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said they’ll offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 404-286-7990. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
