Michigan Humane Society Offers $2,500 Reward For Arsonist Who Burned Three Dogs

Three dogs burned to death in a fire set by an arsonist.

The three dogs, who belonged to a Westland family, died in the home when the house burned down. The Michigan Humane Society is offering a reward for information about the crime.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Michigan Humane Society Cruelty Investigation Department is also offering assistance to the investigation.

Reward offered after 3 dogs trapped, killed in Westland house fire https://t.co/fsNsKKV4ox

— Nancy J. Bailey (@cliffysmom) April 2, 2016

The crime occurred on Tuesday, March 29, at the 38000 block of Warren Road. The fire was set after a break-in, and several articles were stolen from the home, but the arsonist(s) left the dogs in the burning house.

Michigan Humane Society president and CEO Matthew Pepper called the crime, “despicable on many levels.”

“Not only was a family robbed of their belongings and displaced by a fire, they have to suffer the loss of their three beloved dogs. The dogs were trapped with no way to escape the flames and suffered greatly before ultimately perishing.”

The dogs were named Bruno, Bella, and Blue, Fox 2 News said. Their bodies have been transferred to MHS Berman Center for Animal Care in Westland for necropsy, while the investigation continues.

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Westland Mayor, William Wild, has put out a plea for anyone with information to come forward. There is a $2,500 reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible.

“The City of Westland and the Westland Fire Department appreciates the assistance on this case from the Michigan Humane Society. This was a truly tragic situation and we urge the public to come forward with any information regarding this crime.”

Reactions to the death of the three dogs is general outrage. The news has quickly spread through social media. Most people were calling for stricter penalties for animal abusers.

“The FBI now has a task force as of 1/1/16 for animal abusers. Their will be a national abuse registry for animal abusers!” wrote Kim Paluch Moore.

“Tougher penalties for abusers! These idiots belong in prison for life. Today animals, tomorrow people. No more excuses!! The laws need to change. In cases like this, I support those that take action to stop these killers one way or another,” wrote Denise Bednarczyk Garrett.

“Don’t be a coward and speak up if you know anything!!! Follow Logan’s Law on FB to get the bill passed for animal abusers to be listed just like sexual predators list!!!” wrote Kara Schroeder Miller.

The Michigan Humane Society is well equipped to follow through on the reward. It has offices in Westland, Rochester Hills, and Sterling Heights. On March 14, the group opened a new, multi-million dollar Animal Care Campus on more than four acres in Detroit. Its website boasts that when fully completed, the new facility will be a pillar of the animal community. The features as as follows.

• Appropriately house animals with both short and long term care needs and allow MHS to modernize and meet industry best practices such as open and inviting living spaces that better meet the social, physical and mental needs of animals.
• Be constructed of disease-resistant materials for improved sanitation and animal health.
• Include state-of-the-art rehabilitation rooms increasing MHS’ capacity to provide long-term care and to achieve our goal of 100 percent adoption of treatable animals.
• Provide dedicated spaces for training and education, increasing our impact on the community and ideally sparking a strong humane social movement in Detroit.
• House expanded partnerships, including teaching and training opportunities with Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, providing the next generation of veterinarians with valuable experience in the underserved field of shelter medicine.
• Utilize a modern and welcoming design to encourage increased use of MHS services and animal adoptions, as well as change general perceptions of what an animal shelter looks like and what it can do.
• Be a community resource for building collaborative programs; outreach and grass roots initiatives.

Relatives have set up a GoFundMe account for the family of the burned dogs.

Anyone with information about the arson that destroyed the home and killed the three dogs is asked to contact the Westland Fire Marshal at 734-467-3260.

[Image via Wendy Newell/Shutterstock]