A puppy is in critical condition after he was set on fire Monday. A man heard the dog whimpering and found him along the 200 block of Herman Street on Buffalo's East Side.
The dog was still on fire when Buffalo Firefighters arrived. The puppy is a Jack Russell Terrier and is being treated at the Buffalo Small Animal Hospital. The City's Animal Shelter director Kelly McCartney tells WBFO's Eileen Buckley the incident is "horrific."
"This poor little guy is really, really suffering," said McCartney. "He is very critical. He was burned over 100% of his body. 30% of those burns are third degree. He is in rough shape."
Buffalo Police say no one has claimed ownership of the dog. No arrests have been made, but police continue to investigate if foul play was involved.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Confidential TIPCALL Line at 847-2255 or Text a Tip at (716)847-2255 or e-mail the department at www.bpdny.org.
Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelteris paying for the puppy's medical expenses with community. donations. The puppy has been named "Phoenix."