Warning: The attached video and photos at right contain graphic content.
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Authorities in the city of Sacramento are looking for the person or persons who set a puppy on fire and left it to die on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.
Gina Knepp, the manager of the Sacramento Animal Care Services Department, said a passerby called to report the case of animal cruelty on Wednesday morning. The dog's injuries were so severe it had to be euthanized, she said.
"This is a sick, twisted person who's done this," Knepp said.
The dog was found near the corner of Calvados Avenue and Oakmont Street, in Sacramento's Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Knepp was planning to head to that area Friday afternoon to pass out fliers asking for help from the community in finding the person or persons responsible.
"Somebody up there knows something and I'm going to find them," she said. "This is about animals but it's also about people. The people of Del Paso Heights shouldn't have to live with someone who's willing to do something of this level of depravity."
Her effort will be bolstered by an $8,000 reward: nonprofit Red Rover has pledged $2,500, dog rescue Scooter's Pals has offered $500 and the Humane Society of the United States is offering $5,000.
Knepp said it was important to find the culprit, because of the link between violence toward animals and violence toward humans.
"If you'll do this to an animal, what's next?"
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call 916-808-5855.
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