There's nothing like the sad death of an adorable puppy to stir up the police, animal services and the media. That's certainly the case with Justice, the 4-month-old lab-terrier mix doused in lighter fluid and burned in a Pleasant Grove apartment complex on April 4. Justice suffered through a week of burn treatment beforedying April 13, and the animal's torturers are still at large, though an arrest is more likely as the stakes have been raised.
The SPCA's determination to find whoever set the puppy on fire has led the group to offer a $25,000 bounty for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the dog's abusers, up from its original $5,000.
The reward money includes $10,000 from an anonymous donor and $5,000 from the Murrell Foundation. Police have identified suspects as part of an ongoing investigation, but will not release names or additional details until arrests have been made, a Dallas Police Department spokesperson told Unfair Park.
Officials have reason to believe that someone videotaped and/or photographed while people burned the dog. The release alerting people to the increased reward money specifically asks that individuals who recorded the crime step forward. Someone who passed up $5,000, logic dictates, might find walking away from $25,000, and a conviction would be a hell of a lot more likely with objective proof.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477.
And for those who know nothing but want to express condolences for the puppy, a candlelight vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in front of Dallas City Hall. The following afternoon at 1 p.m., the dog's remains will be buried at Toothacres Pet Care Center at 1693 Parker Road in Carrollton. Both events are open to the public.
If humans were treated like this, every night would be a candlelight vigil. Then again, it's not every day that Justice needs justice.
