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http://www.nbc10.com/news/13970377/detail....hi&psp=news
SPCA, Utleys Care For Young Dog Beaten, Kicked, Set On Fire
Officials Say Teens Tortured Pit Bull-Boxer Mix
POSTED: 5:39 pm EDT August 24, 2007
UPDATED: 11:17 am EDT August 25, 2007
PHILADELPHIA -- SPCA officials reported Friday a heart-breaking case of animal abuse.
http://www.nbc10.com/slideshow/news/13971184/detail.html
Officials said a young dog was beaten, kicked and then set on fire Thursday in the 100 block of Hirst Street in West Philadelphia. She has extensive burns all over her face.
Witnesses said they saw six teenage boys torturing the animal. One witness called police.
It's believed the dog is about 7 months old.
The little pit bull-boxer mix is being treated at the SPCA facility in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia. She didn't have a name so workers at the SPCA named her “Why Me?”. Howard Nelson of the Pennsylvania SPCA said it is the worst case of abuse he has ever seen.
“She is such a nice dog. I don't know how you can do this kind of crime,” Dr. Rabi Murarka, a veterinarian, said. The puppy may lose a leg and will be scarred for life.
Jen Utley just happened to be at the SPCA when the puppy was brought in. She and her husband, Phillies second basemen Chase Utley, are paying for Why Me's medical bills and rehabilitation.
Utley is a dog lover. After seeing the dog, she said to the facility’s workers: “You guys don't have to worry about it. Focus on the lawsuit, finding these people. Focus on promoting awareness and getting more dogs off the street.”
According to the SPCA, it will take months of rehabilitation, but the puppy should recover from the extensive injuries.
A reward is being offered, and the SPCA is also asking for donations to help pay for the dog's medical care. You can contact the SPCA 215-426-6300.
Copyright 2007 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved.
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SPCA, Utleys Care For Young Dog Beaten, Kicked, Set On Fire
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20431228/
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Phillies Star Helping Severely Tortured Puppy
Suspects Sought In Dog Beating And Burning
http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_236163943.html
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http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/2007..._torturers.html
Search for dog torturers
By DANA DiFILIPPO
difilid@phillynews.com 215-854-5934
Sat Aug 25th 2007
graphic picture
It was a tragically uneven match: Eight or so boys and young men towering over one 40-pound dog.
But the mischief-minded bullies who gathered around the brindle boxer-mix on a West Philadelphia street Thursday afternoon made their murderous mission even more unmatched when they produced tools of torture - a lighter and some accelerant.
The gang doused the dog with gasoline or some other accelerant, set her afire and then began kicking and beating her as she cowered on the ground on Hirst Street near Market shortly after 4:30 p.m. At least one distressed neighbor who witnessed the torture called police.
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania SPCA launched a "high-priority" investigation to identify the dog's tormentors. As SPCA veterinarians worked to save the pup's life, investigators implored witnesses to call in tips and bring the animal-abusers to justice.
"This is one of the worst cases we've seen," said Howard Nelson, chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania SCPA, which investigates about 7,000 animal-abuse and -neglect cases a year statewide. "The severity of it, the use of an accelerant, the cooperative effort of a group - it's all very alarming."
The dog - whom rescuers had dubbed Y-Mee (pronounced "Why me?") - was recovering yesterday at the SPCA's shelter in North Philadelphia.
She suffered severe burns to her face, rear and left hind leg, and was placed on antibiotics to prevent infection and sedated to alleviate pain, Nelson said. Doctors still were evaluating her to see if she had any internal injuries.
Phillies second-baseman Chase Utley and his wife, Jennifer - an SPCA volunteer - have pledged to pay for the dog's medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, Nelson said.
In fact, Jennifer Utley even suggested a new name for the dog, one befitting a survivor: "Etana," indicating spiritual strength and determination.
Although SPCA workers suspect she was a stray because of her thin build, Etana seems sweet-natured and even wagged her tail as vets examined her despite her injuries, Nelson added.
If nabbed, Etana's abusers face felony charges that could carry jail time.
With dog-fighting still a popular, illegal pastime in Philadelphia, the SPCA recently added agents to crack down on animal cruelty, Nelson said. Agents investigated more than 5,150 reports of animal abuse and neglect in Philadelphia last year, he said.
The SPCA is collecting money to offer a reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of Etana's tormentors.
To report tips in Etana's case or other animal abuse - or to donate reward money - call the SPCA at 215-426-6300. *
© Copyright 2007 Philly Online, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/phila...rned_a_dog.html
Pa. SPCA seeks men who beat and burned a dog
Sat, Aug. 25, 2007
A reward was being raised by the Pennsylvania SPCA to find a group of men who participated in the beating and burning of a mixed boxer in a West Philadelphia neighborhood.
Police were called around 4:15 p.m. Thursday to the 100 block of North Hirst Street by neighbors who said they had seen the men attack the female dog. The animal also suffered third-degree burns over its face and left hind leg. The dog was taken to the SPCA shelter in North Philadelphia, where - because of the seemingly senseless nature of the crime - she was given the name Y-Me?
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and his wife, Jennifer, picked up the tab for the dog's medical and rehabilitation expenses, SPCA official Lisa Rodgers said yesterday.
She said those expenses could run as high as $3,000. Donations for a reward to seek out and prosecute the perpetrators were being accepted, Rodgers said. Donations can be sent to Pennsylvania SPCA, at 350 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia 19134, or on the Web at www.pspca.org.
© Copyright 2007 Philly Online, LLC. All Rights Reserved.