ONTARIO
Dog found burned to death in Ontario field

By Gene Maddaus / gene.maddaus@latimes.com

ONTARIO -- Police on Monday were investigating the death of a pit bull that was found burned and leashed to a flaming tree stump Sunday afternoon.

Police suspect the 4-month-old dog had been doused with furniture polish and lit on fire, Ontario Det. Mike Macias said.

"This is absolutely a first," Macias said. "This was an incredibly cruel act to this dog." Firefighters got a call about 4 p.m. Sunday that brush was on fire in a field in the 1100 block of East Holt Boulevard, Macias said.

Firefighters found a bush and a tree stump on fire. When they put the fire out, they found the carcass of the dog, Macias said.

The dog had a leash around its neck, and a can of furniture polish was nearby, Macias said.

No witnesses have come forward.

The Inland Valley Humane Society was called in to help investigate.

It was not known who owned the dog. Investigators are asking for the public's help in solving the crime, Humane Society investigator Allie Jalbert said.

The case would be considered felony animal cruelty, a crime that carries up to three years of state prison time, Jalbert said.

"This is one of the worst things I've seen since I've been here," she said."I don't know what would lead somebody to tie an animal to a tree and burn it to death."

Macias speculated that it could have been someone trying to discipline the dog. Jalbert said that given the dog's large size, it was unlikely that children were responsible.

Jalbert asked that anyone who was in the area of Holt Boulevard and South Cucamonga Avenue at 4 p.m. on Sunday come forward.

"We are also seeking information from anyone who might recognize the dog from its breed and age," Jalbert said in a statement. "It might be a neighbor's dog, one you pass when you jog each morning, or one you've seen in the area on a regular basis. We will greatly appreciate any tips that lead to the identification of the dog or its owner." Jalbert may be reached at 623-9777, Ext. 689. Informants may also call the Ontario Police Detective
Bureau at 395-2731
ONTARIO
Attack on dog prompts reward for prosecution

By Tipton Blish / tipton.blish@latimes.com
ONTARIO -- The gruesome killing of a puppy in broad daylight near residences has drawn national attention and a $4,000 reward to catch those involved.

Last Sunday afternoon in a field on Holt Boulevard, someone tied a 4-month-old pit bull to a stake, taped its mouth shut, doused it with furniture polish and lit it. Officials at the Inland Valley Humane Society said preliminary results of a necropsy showed the dog may have been alive when it was set ablaze.

"This isn't something that I have seen before," said Allie Jalbert, humane investigator at the Inland Valley Humane Society. "We have seen people neglect their animals. We have seen them beat out of anger or kicked. ...This just appears to be an act of torture. That is why we are pursuing this so aggressively." The plight of the Ontario pit bull attracted a reward from the Humane Society of the United States, matched by the local office, to elicit help with the investigation.

"This was calculated to cause pain in the animal," said Eric Sakach, director of the West Coast office of the national organization. Sakach worries that the killer could be a danger to other animals in the neighborhood and even humans, he said.

Because the dog was burned in the afternoon and near homes, Sakach said that someone may have been trying to send a message to or shock other dog owners. Animal abuse can be a precursor to human-on-human abuse, he said.

"This is so twisted -- this person needs to be caught," Sakach said.

Ontario Police Department detectives are investigating the case as well, although they have no leads, Det. Alan Parra Jr said. He declined to say what, if any, evidence detectives have found. Humane Society officials said that a tin of furniture polish was found by the carcass, which was still tied to a tree stump.

The humane societies are each offering $2,000 to the person who helps solve the crime. Jalbert said those responsible face felony animal cruelty charges.

Investigators are hopeful that someone saw the attack since it was so close to homes and happened in the daytime.

Animal cruelty cases are difficult to solve because "the fear of retaliation is too great," said Brian Sampson supervisor of animal services for the Inland Valley Humane Society. Rarely is there evidence left at such a crime. Last year firefighters called to a brush fire in Pomona found a cat tied to a crucifix and burned, but there was no other evidence, Sampson said.

Jalbert may be reached at 623-9777, Ext. 689. The Ontario police detective bureau is at 395-2731.

Source
Inland Valley Times
Source
Inland Valley Times