The dog was found around 10 a.m., Friday, July 5, when the West Haven Police responded to the area of Beach Street near Third Avenue/Second Avenue for a report of an uncontained fire in the Sandy Point Beach parking lot, said West Haven Police Sgt. Charles Young.

The fire was extinguished and the initial investigation found a small dead dog, possibly a 1-year-old “mini Schnauzer” with cropped ears and a cropped tail, was located at the source of the fire, Young said.

An initial investigation suggests the dog had apparently been set on fire in the Sandy Point Beach parking lot and abandoned there. Initial investigation also suggests an accelerant was used, Young added.

While police search for a suspect, the public is helping speed the process by offering up reward money in hopes someone will know who committed the horrible crime.

Groups offering rewards include the Facebook groupNew Haven: Why Not? , who is offering a $2,000 reward; Desmond’s Army has offered a $500 reward, and the rescue organization Green Fur Kidz has collected about $14,000 in pledges, with a $10,000 pledge from Executive Auto Group.

At this time West Haven Police are asking for anyone who may have seen the fire or any other suspicious activity in the area between 10 p.m., Thursday, July 4 and 10 a.m., July 5 to contact the police department at 203-937-3900, Detective Wolf at 203-937-3934 or mwolf@whpd.com , or Fire Marshall Keith Flood at 203-931-0031.

The department is also asking any area residents missing a small dog to contact the police or animal control.

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