County Supervisor Mike Antonovich Wednesday increased the reward he wants the county to offer for information leading to the person or people who have been burning dogs in the Antelope Valley.
Antonovich initially said he would ask his colleagues next week to approve a $10,000 reward, but he said Wednesday he will instead ask for $25,000.
“By increasing this reward, we hope to encourage the public to come forward with any information that will help us identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for these depraved acts of cruelty,” Antonovich said.
The crimes against dogs came to light earlier this month when a golden retriever was brought to a Lancaster animal shelter suffering from severe burns on its neck and back. The dog, which has since been named “Fergus,” was brought to the shelter Aug. 11 and subsequently turned over to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles, where the canine is continuing to recover.
Doctors said they believe somebody poured battery acid or some other type of corrosive material on the dog.
Animal control officials said at least three other dogs had been found with similar injuries in recent weeks, and two of them had to be euthanized.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has offered a $2,500 reward for information in the case. An unidentified NBC4 viewer also posted a $2,000 reward.
A Gofundme page established by the Golden Retriever Rescue Group to raise money for Fergus’ care has raised more than $24,000 as of Wednesday. An update on the page noted that officials in both Kern and Los Angeles counties are investigating the dog injuries, since at least two of the dogs brought to the Lancaster shelter apparently came from Kern County.
— City News Service