ASCHAE’s DogBlog

Phoenix, the Baltimore pit bull who was set on fire last week, has died.

The dog, who showed signs of having been used in dogfights, was doused with gasoline and set on fire Wednesday afternoon in Southwest Baltimore. A police officer, upon spotting her, put the fire out with her sweater. No arrests have been made.

The dog was taken to BARCS, treated locally at Swan Harbor Animal Hospital, then sent to Pennsylvania for additional treatment.

Officials at Main Line Animal Rescue, in whose care the dog was placed, said yesterday that Phoenix experienced increased creatinine levels, causing her kidneys to shut down.

The dog,  who arrived at BARCS with her tail wagging even though she’d received burns over 90 percent of her body, was put down at 8:45 this morning.

” She had a strong will to live but her physical problems were just too extensive,” a MLAR representative said. “Thanks to all the caring people who will hold her in their heart.”

”She touched the hearts of everyone that came in contact with her and anyone who heard her story,”  said Jennifer Mead-Brause, executive director of BARCS.  “We can only hope now that someone will come forward so that there can be a conviction on this case.”

As Mead-Brause explained it, Phoenix’s kidneys couldn’t cope with the natural chemicals her body was producing to fight off infection.

“As her body was trying to heal, her muscles were producing natural chemicals that are excreted through the kidneys. Unfortunately her kidneys could not handle the process and began to shut down. Due to kidney failure, and the long road still ahead for recovery, the veterinarians that were caring for her decided it would be best to euthanize her.”

BARCS has set up a reward fund, which now stands at $3,000, for information leading to the suspects.

For information on how to donate to the reward fund, or the Franky Fund, which helped pay for the initial emergency care Phoenix received, visit the BARCS website.