Burned dog found in Chester County, Pa.
Firefighters extinguishing a trash fire in Coatesville, Pa., found the charred body of a small dog Saturday, and investigators suspect the fire may have been set in connection with abusing the animal, or to cover it up.
The dog appeared to be a male Yorkshire terrier or Yorkie mix and was 3 to 5 years old. He weighed about 15 pounds and had silver, black and tan coloring. The dog’s owner is unknown.
“Foul play is suspected. Coatesville Detective Kevin Campbell told the Delaware County Times. “This dog was dumped in the middle of nowhere.”
Campbell said it hasn’t been determined whether the dog was killed in the fire or killed before it was set. A necropsy is scheduled.
Chester County SPCA spokesman Rich Britton showed reporters a photograph of a dog that he said likely was similar in appearance to the burned animal. “If this turns out to a criminal act, let me tell you, we’re going to go out there and we’re going to do everything we can with the Coatesville Police Department to bring this person to justice,” Britton said.
Both Coatesville police and Chester County Animal Protective Services are investigating the incident.
“In the eight years that I’ve been here I’ve never seen something so horrific,” Animal Protective Services officer Craig Baxter said. “How someone could do this to a small animal is beyond my belief.”
Animal Protective Services officer Cheryl Shaw emphasized that unwanted animals can always be brought to the SPCA’s shelter. “We’re not going to judge anybody. Please, if you don’t want your animal or can’t keep it for whatever reason, bring it to us,” Shaw said.
Investigators asked that anyone who is missing a dog similar to the burned animal or who has any information call the Coatesville Police Department at 610-384-2300 or the Chester County SPCA at 610-692-6113, ext. 213.
(Photo: Chester County SPCA spokesman Rich Britton holds a picture of a dog he says is similar in appearance to the one found burned in the fire; by Michael N. Price / Delaware County Times)
Posted by jwoestendiek June 11th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: abuse, animals, burned, chester county, chester county spca, coatesville, dog, dogs, fire, found, mix, pennsylvania, pets, rich britton, spca, yorkie, yorkshire terrier
Comment from Coatesville Resident
Time June 26, 2012 at 8:25 am
Even if the two monsters who strangled, then burned (and god-knows-what-else) this poor dog… PA’s weak animal cruelty laws will likely only result in a fine and a slap on the if wrists. Let’s save the courts some time, the taxpayers a few bucks, and simply release their identities and home addresses to the public. Let nature take it’s course.