PIT BULL SET ON FIRE   Setting Pit Bull on Fire - (Jacksonville, NC - US) Crime Date: 03/04/2003 Case Status: Open *Suspect(s) Unknown - Need your help! Case Report Individual(s) driving a light blue car sped off as the sound of the screams and sight of the dog rolling in a fireball across residents yards. Residents of a home in the Rhodestown community still can't believe the black, male pit bull is still alive after two people poured gasoline on the dog and set it on fire Tuesday afternoon at approximately 2:50PM. A witness who didn't want to give her name said, "she heard the most awfuly noise" She didn't know what it was, it didn't sound like a dog. She ran to her front yard and saw a pit bull engulfed in fire and trying desperately to put the flames out by rolling. Authorities are searching for the two individuals who were driving the light blue car. It's the most disgusting act of evil to do this type of thing, said The Onslow County Sheriff. The witness's dog, a chow named snowy ran to the burning dog and seemingly was attempting to put out the flames. The chow's whiskers were singed off. The pit bull managed to put out the flames on his own but not before setting the yard of fire. The owner of the pit bull was unknown at this time. The pit bull just stood without moving, said another witness, who didn't want to give his name also. The witness(s) said they were afraid because the act they had just witness was so cruel. "He doused that dog in a ton of gasoline. I didn't think there was any hope for the dog", they said. "He was so burnt there was smoke coming out of his mouth". A certified animal cruelty inspector with animal control, said that when she was called to the scene, her main concern was getting the dog to a veterinarian. The pit bull was taken to Animal Hospital in Jacksonville. "At first, I thought maybe he needed to be euthanized," Earnest said. "His ears were bad. His lips were burnt off. He lost his hair and the pads of his feet. He was just covered in burnt skin. His eyes were burnt. Earnest was cautious when approaching the pit bull, knowing that even the most friendly dog can be aggressive after it’s been hurt, she said. The personality of the pit bull shocked her, she said. When you talked to him and told him it would be OK, his tail would wag. Even though he was in so much pain, he wagged his tail. He didn’t moan or bark or growl. "I would love to get a lead on whoever did this to the dog. If anyone knows the owner or if they’ve seen the dog in the area, we would like to talk to them." The veterinarian who treated the dog, said he would try to save the animal. "His skin is burnt, mostly around his legs. "The most serious part of the burn is in the mouth areas. He has ulcers on his tongue, his lip area is swollen and his eyes are swollen shut." The dog has been given antibiotics and pain medication, and, it is being watched closely for infection, he said. "I’d want to try and keep him out of pain and give him a chance," he said. "He was wagging his tail while we were bathing him." If you have any information on this case, contact: Roselee Panandrea Phone: 253-1171, ext 238 References The Daily News, dated Mar 03,2003, Article: Residents recall the Scream, Sight of Pit Bull Intentionally Set on Fire