May 28, 2009 2:18 pm US/Eastern
Search Continues For Suspect Who Set Dog On Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore City Police are investigating a horrific case of animal abuse: a pit bull was set on fire.
CBS
Unthinkable cruelty that's how many describe what happened to a dog named Phoenix.
She was doused with gasoline and set on fire.
Weijia Jiang reports the dog is still recovering.
Although the dog's spirits are still high veterinarians say infections are a major obstacle and she may not make it through.
Not a spot on the pit bull's body was spared.
"Somebody obviously covered her in gasoline and lit her on fire," said Jennifer Meade-Brause,Executive Director of BARCS, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.
"Her tongue, her eyes, her pads are scorched off, her vulva, unbelievable. We are speechless, and overwhelmed with emotion," said Dr. Marcella Bonner of Swan Animal Hospital.
After treating the dog in Baltimore, Dr. Bonner sent it to a special care facility in Pennsylvania.
Renamed Miss Mercy the 2-year-old pit bull is on a feeding tube and K-9 plasma.
She's on several pain medications and veterinarians have removed her bandages.
The dog is alive thanks to Baltimore Police officer Syreeta Teel who was patrolling Presbury Street.
"We saw this dog in flames, he was screaming and rolling around fully in flames," said Teel. "It was sad because I'd never heard a dog make the sound, the scream he made. I've never heard it before and it was just cruel."
"We could smell it in the air," said Linda Mackey a witness.
Linda Mackey and Meredith Sickle were volunteering in the neighborhood when they noticed a horrifying ball of flames.
"We were so appalled anything like that could happen and there were actually people in the street standing and laughing like it was entertainment for them," said Sickle.
Bonner says she's handled several similar cases in the past.
Her pet "Apple" was also set on fire.
Bonner warns animal cruelty is widespread but it can be prevented.
"This is an epidemic, do something about it. There's power in numbers, power if we all ban together as a community to get this to stop," she said.
As for "Miss Mercy" vets say it's too early to tell whether she'll survive.
A board of surgeons will examine the dog later this evening. If her condition worsens, they will consider putting her down.
Police have no leads in this devastating case, they urge anyone with information to come forward.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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