Dogs have been burned in attacks with an unknown substance in Lancaster, CA.
One of the dogs, a Golden Retriever, Fergus, is recovering from severe burns from an acid-like substance. He was treated for third-degree burns, ABC reported.
"It's horrendously painful when these things occur and so he's on pain management for that. In addition, we give him medicated anti-microbial baths," Dr. Alan Schulman of the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles.
The group has set up a Go Fund Me page for anyone who would like to donate money to help pay for Fergus' treatment.
It has been severe enough that Los Angeles County officials have offered a $25,000 reward for any information that will help capture and convict the culprits at work. Michael D. Antonovich, the most senior member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, put a motion in for the reward in connection with at least seven of the attacks that started in July. The Board of Supervisors approved his request on Tuesday.
Antonovich described the attacks as "depraved acts of cruelty," according to NBC.
The dogs have been found with elongated burns down their backside, it is believed to be burns caused by a caustic chemical. Sadly, two of the dogs were so severely injured that the most humane option was to have them euthanized.
Officials believe that because the proximity of the attacks and injuries sustained by the dogs, that the same culprit or culprits may be involved. Derek Brown, deputy director of L.A. County Animal Control suggests it's "not anything with this number of animals in a short period of time. It's not something we see regularly at all," even though animal control officers do occasionally encounter stray animal abuse cases, they aren't escalated like these burnings.
"We're really trying to figure out who's doing this, and hopefully we can get some leads from the community, Brown said.
County officials are asking anyone with information on the cases to call (661) 940-4191.
