Reward of Up to $5,000 Offered for Help in Puppy-Burning Case

PETA Joins Police in Seeking Information on Juveniles Who Fled the Scene Where Abused Dog Was Found in Smoking Trash Can

For Immediate Release:
November 13, 2017

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

At around 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, a security guard on the 600 block of E. Lathrop Avenue spotted what he believes may have been two juveniles dragging around a smoking garbage can—and after they fled, he opened the can to discover a puppy inside. Police officers arrived and, as shown in this bodycam footage, picked up the dog, whom they transported to Savannah Animal Hospital for treatment.

The puppy, now named Phoenix, is recovering from her injuries—which included smoke inhalation, burns on her ears, and melted plastic on her fur and feet—and is in the process of being adopted. But police have yet to determine who is responsible for burning and abandoning her, prompting PETA to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

“Somebody out there knows something about where this puppy came from and how she ended up burned in a trash can,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA urges anyone with information about this dog or the reported young people who fled the scene to come forward immediately so that whoever is responsible for her abuse can be held responsible.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—advises families to keep their animal companions safely indoors and never leave them unattended outside, where they may be taken or hurt by cruel people. Dogs should always be accompanied in the backyard and escorted on walks on a comfortable, secure harness and leash.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department at 912-525-3124.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.