$25,000 reward offered in chemically burned dogs case

ANTELOPE VALLEY, Calif. (CNS/FOX 11) - The Board of Supervisors approved a $25,000 reward today for information leading to the person or people who have been burning dogs with caustic chemicals in the Antelope Valley.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich initially said he would ask his colleagues to approve a $10,000 reward, but he announced last week he was increasing the reward amount to $25,000. That includes contributions from private sources, he said.

"By increasing this reward, we hope to encourage the public to come forward with any information that will help us identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for these depraved acts of cruelty," Antonovich
said.

The crimes against dogs came to light last month when a golden retriever was brought to a Lancaster animal shelter suffering from severe burns on its neck and back.

The dog, which has since been named "Fergus," was brought to the shelter Aug. 11 and subsequently turned over to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles, where he is continuing to recover.

Doctors said they believe somebody poured battery acid or some other type of corrosive material on the dog.

Animal control officials said at least three other dogs had been found with similar injuries in recent weeks, and two of them had to be euthanized.

A Gofundme page established by the Golden Retriever Rescue Group to raise money for Fergus' care has raised more than $24,000. An update on the page noted that officials in both Kern and Los Angeles counties are investigating the dog injuries, since at least two of the dogs brought to the Lancaster shelter apparently came from Kern County.

Anyone with information about the incidents are encouraged to call Lancaster Sheriff's Station Detective Daniel Gore at 661-940-3851 or 661-948-8466, or you can contact the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control at 661-974-8096.