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Reward For Information In Burned-Dog Case Increased To $13,500

SACRAMENTO COUNTY (CBS13) — The reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who set a dog on fire earlier this week has been increased.

A veteran fire captain made the disturbing discovery when she reported to a call of trash burning in Sacramento County just after midnight on Wednesday. It wasn't just trash that Capt. Shani Cornell found near Beccera Way and Jo Ann Drive. There was a small dog, trapped in a crate, set ablaze.

"The dog was alive when it was set on fire," Cornell said.

Arson investigators confirm the heinous act was intentional.

An $8,000 reward was initially offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. But that amount was increased to $13,500 on Friday, according to a statement from the Sacramento SPCA.

"It's important that we catch the individual or individuals who committed this crime," said Sacramento SPCA CEO Rick Johnson, "The severity of this crime is alarming. The potential for it to lead to other animals or people being harmed is too great —and the animal-loving community has expressed the same concern by contributing to what is now a significant reward."

The reward is being paid for by the Sacramento SPCA, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, the County of Sacramento, the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and six private donors from around the country.

Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to call Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District's Arson Tipline at (916) 859-3775.

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