A family is heartbroken after their beloved dog was brutally set on fire with a lighter, and a neighborhood boy is the number one suspect.
Latricia Jones, owner of a 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 boy entering and leaving the family’s backyard multiple times, and Jones is certain the cruel act took place during the unidentified boy’s visit.
“He’s stable right now. He’s on antibiotics and painkillers, so I think the painkillers are sedating him a little bit,” Jones told Fox5. “He’s resting. He cries sometimes.”
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 boy is a suspect
Latricia Jones, owner of a 3 1/2-year-old pit bull terrier named Bear, suspects that a 9-year-old neighbor is responsible for Bear’s injuries. In this video, the boy, whose face is obscured, is seen entering the house.
Jones said he believes the boy used a lighter to poke holes in his dog’s back. He believes the boy is now lying about being in his home, even though the footage clearly shows he was there.
She is currently fighting to have her concerns taken seriously without video evidence of the actual fire.
“Without any actual footage showing him burning the dog, it’s like they’re saying, ‘well, he didn’t do it,’ but he said he didn’t go into the backyard either… 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 are devastated. My entire family is devastated. The community is devastated. I have neighbors who have known the dog since he was six weeks old… they came over and when they saw him they cried,” 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.
Although Bear is recovering, the road to recovery is expected to be long and difficult. Veterinarians estimate that surgery to remove the dead skin could cost upwards of $10,000.
Annapolis veterinarian Dr. Marianne Bailey explained the severity of Bear’s injuries.
“Burns of this magnitude can be incredibly difficult to treat,” he said. “For a large dog with a burn covering a significant portion of its back, recovery can take weeks or even months.”
‘There is a high chance of complications and the resulting scar will be extensive.
‘Unfortunately, hair growth in that area may never fully recover.’
Jones said he wants the boy to be held accountable.
Although the bear is recovering, the road to recovery is expected to be long and difficult. Veterinarians estimate that surgery to remove the dead skin could cost more than $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, but I want to see if maybe he gets some kind of professional intervention, you know.”
‘I want his parents to be held accountable and acknowledge that he did this.
“Police said this is a juvenile and there’s not much they can do in a juvenile case like this.”
TO GoFundMe A campaign has been launched to help cover Bear’s medical expenses.
