A Chihuahua mix suffering from burn injuries that caused him to be in “excruciating pain” was rescued from the Antelope Valley Thursday night, making him the ninth dog known to have suffered a similar type of attack.
A reward for finding the dogs’ abuser or abusers was also increased to $50,000 on Friday, according to the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue.
“Taco,” the 3-year-old Chihuahua mix, was found in the Antelope Valley with burns streaking his back, including burn spots so deep that his red flesh was fully exposed.
“The amount of scarring to the skin, it’s substantial. It’s literally falling off,” Tamara Leary with Pets R Us Vet Clinic said of his injuries.
Veterinarians believe Taco’s injuries are not so severe that he will need to be euthanized, and predict that once he is healed he will still have a good quality of life.
Nonetheless, he continues to be in “excruciating pain” and takes “very heavy” pain medication and antibiotics, said Beth Newill with Doggy Smiles Rescue.
Taco is the ninth dog known to have suffered such a brutal attack in recent weeks.
A golden retriever named “Fergus” was the first known victim, having been discovered in Lancaster in August.
Since then, six pit bulls and a Cavalier King Charles spaniel have been brutalized. Two of the dogs were so badly burned they were euthanized.
The cases occurred in the Antelope Valley and Kern County.
The dogs who survived their attacks continue to be treated, and on Friday Ferguson began staying with his foster family, the SoCal Golden Retriever Rescue stated on Facebook.
That same day, a reward to find the attacker or attackers was also increased to $50,000, up from the previous $25,000 offered, according to the retriever rescue.
It was not know where the extra $25,000 came from, but the initial $25,000 funding came from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Since then, the retriever rescue and PETA have also donated to the cause.
“Animal lovers need to speak up. If you know who’s doing this, report it,” Newill said.
Click here if you’d like to donate to the medical fund.
