A family is heartbroken after their beloved dog was brutally burned with a lighter – and a neighborhood child is the number one suspect.
Latricia Jones, the owner of three-and-a-half-year-old pit bull terrier named Bear, believes her nine-year-old neighbor is responsible for Bear’s injuries.
Doorbell camera footage shows the child entering and exiting the family’s backyard multiple times, with Jones certain the cruel act was carried out during the unidentified youngster’s visit.
‘He’s stable right now. He’s on antibiotics and pain meds, so I think the pain medication is kind of sedating him a little,’ Jones told Fox5. ‘He is resting. Sometimes he cries.’
Prince George’s County Police and the Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the case, but no charges have been filed at this time.
A Maryland family is heartbroken after their beloved pit bull terrier was brutally burned with a lighter, and a neighborhood child is a suspect
Latricia Jones, owner of 3-and-a-half-year-old pit bull terrier named Bear, suspects a 9-year-old neighbor is responsible for Bear’s injuries. The child, whose face is obscured, is seen entering the home in this footage
Jones said she think the boy used a torch lighter to burn holes in her dog’s back. She believes the child is now lying about his presence at her home, despite footage clearly showing he was there.
She’s currently fighting for her concerns to be taken seriously without video evidence of the actual burning taking place.
‘Without actual footage showing him burning the dog it’s like they’re like, “well he didn’t do it” – but he said he also didn’t go to the backyard… I have him on camera three times going into the backyard when no one else was around,’ Jones said.
The incident has shocked the community, with many offering support to the family
‘We’re devastated. My entire family is devastated. The community is devastated. I have neighbors that have known the dog since he was six weeks old… they’ve come over and when they see him they’re crying,’ Jones added.
Prince George’s County Police and the Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the case, but no charges have been filed at this time
While Bear is on the mend, the road to recovery is expected to be long and difficult. Veterinarians estimate that surgery to remove dead skin could cost upwards of $10,000.
Dr. Marianne Bailey, a veterinarian from Annapolis, explained the severity of Bear’s injuries.
‘Burns of this magnitude can be incredibly challenging to treat,’ she said. ‘For a large dog with a burn covering a significant portion of its back, recovery could take weeks or even months.’
‘There’s a high chance of complications, and the resulting scar will be extensive.
‘Sadly, hair growth in that area may never fully recover.’
Jones said she wants the child to be held accountable.
While bear is on the mend, the road to recovery is expected to be long and difficult. Veterinarians estimate that surgery to remove dead skin could cost upwards of $10,000
‘I know he can’t go to jail. I don’t want to see him go to jail,’ Jones said. ‘He’s 9 years old, but I want to see if maybe he gets some type of professional intervention, you know.
‘I want his parents to be accountable and that they acknowledge that he’s done this.
‘The police said it’s a minor, and there’s not a lot they can really do in a juvenile case like this.’
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover Bear’s medical expenses.
