A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever injured an 8-month-old puppy found suffering from burns in an alley in Pomona.
The male Chihuahua mix, dubbed Rocket, was found on Monday in the 900 block of Loma Vista Street, according to James Edward of the Inland Valley Humane Society & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“A good Samaritan found the dog after hearing whimpering in the alley behind his home,” Edward said.
The dog, which had no collar, yelped in pain when the resident picked him up.
“It was then that the finder noticed the puppy’s condition and that it smelled of burnt flesh,” Edward said.
The animal was rushed to the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA, where shelter veterinarians treated him and determined he “had second-degree burns over much of his body,” according to Edward.
“The dog’s hair was singed and there was visible damage to the skin,” he said.
The dog was not microchipped, Edward said.
“The IVHS & SPCA is investigating the case and believes it was a deliberate act of animal cruelty,” he said.
Rocket is in critical condition and remains under 24-hour care, Edward said.
Anyone with information about what happened to the dog was urged to call the Inland Valley Humane Society at (909) 623-9777.
Anyone interested in helping to pay for Rocket’s care can visit www.ivhsspca.org/helpcareforrocket to make a donation.
— City News Service