A $10,000 reward is being offered in the case of a severely injured and abused dog found in SoMa on Thursday.
The dog, named Maximilian by shelter staff, was found around 6 a.m. on Thursday morning under the freeway near Disvision Street and South Van Ness Avenue. According to Animal Care & Control, Maximilian was suffering from blunt force trauma to his head and body, missing teeth, cigarette burns, and paws with missing pads and nails.
"We're still not sure he's going to make it," Virginia Donohue, executive director of Animal Care and Control, told SFGate. "We're hoping for the best."
Maximilian is described as a 1- or 2-year old pit bull terrier mix. Donahue says the burns appear to be older injuries, but the blunt force trauma and internal injuries are more recent. His situation is so precarious, according to KGO, that he was not available for the media to take video of.
"He's a friendly guy, which makes this kind of abuse all the more heartbreaking," Donahue added. Maximilian has been quite friendly with shelter staff and vets.
Initially Animal Care & Control offered a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, but it was increased to $10,000 on Saturday after a donation from the president of Maddie's Fund. Anyone with information is being asked to call Animal Care & Control at (415) 554-9400. Click here to make a donation to Friends of Animal Care & Control.