CALIFORNIA -- The owner of a dog set on fire and killed near Camarillo and officials investigating the crime said Wednesday they didn't know who was responsible.
James Delgado, owner of the 3-year-old basset hound named Buddy, said Wednesday his family was upset but trying to move on after the incident Saturday.
"We are sad it occurred, and we are trying to get past it right now," Delgado said, adding that he did not know who would do such a thing.
The family has two other basset hounds, he said.
The incident, which occurred about 3:20 a.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of Mesa Drive, was under investigation, and authorities had not made an arrest, Ventura County sheriff's Sgt. Eric Buschow said.
Authorities said someone poured lighter fluid on the dog before setting it on fire in a Camarillo Heights ravine. How the dog got out and into the ravine was unclear.
A neighbor saw the fire and called the fire department. The dog had severe burns when found by emergency personnel and later died.
Arson investigators from the county Fire Department and Sheriff's Office collected evidence and are investigating. A bomb squad also responded to the incident.
"There have been cases of animal cruelty, but I've never heard of someone pouring fluid on an animal and lighting it on fire," Buschow said. "It's a horrible, horrible crime."
He said those responsible could face felony animal cruelty and arson charges.
Donna Gillesby, interim director of Ventura County Animal Services, said her agency was not notified but typically assists in investigations of animal cruelty.
"I don't know why anyone would do that," Gillesby said Wednesday. "I hope they can find somebody and prosecute them for it."
She said animal shelters regularly see abused animals, including cats that have survived being burned.
"Every single one is awful, and we do our best to care for the animals here, to ease their suffering and to get them to a better place," she said.
Basset hounds are docile, Gillesby said.
"I don't think I've ever met an aggressive basset hound," she said. "They are very easy, kind and family-oriented dogs."
Jolene Hoffman, shelter director of the Ventura County Humane Society in Ojai, said she was disgusted.
"The torture that poor animal suffered — it makes you sick," she said. "The cruelty that goes on — it still completely blows you away no matter how much you see or how much you witness."
Hoffman, who has been working with the organization for 30 years, said she has seen burned animals but not recently.
Anyone with information on the incident may call Detective Darren Smith at 383-8740 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and criminal complaint.
(vcstar - Oct 31, 2012)