Dog beaten by burglar remains in critical condition

[ilovedogs]

A veterinary technician says the 13-pound dog severely beaten by an intruder bent on robbing a Riverton home remains in critical condition.
Southeast Valley Veterinary Clinic technician Rhiannon Webster said Tuesday that doctors saw no change in Ranger's condition overnight.

The 2-year-old cocker spaniel-poodle mix was found suffering seizures in a pool of blood by his owners when they returned home from a vacation. Ranger's skull was fractured.

Vicky Kunz said her family returned home immediately after neighbors tending Ranger called to say they had found the garage door open and the dog missing on Saturday morning.

After rushing the dog to the clinic, family members noticed some household items missing and called police.
Kunz said a handgun, bottles of loose change, a wedding band and a purse were taken.

"The thing we're most upset about is what happened to the dog. We view that as complete brutality," she said, calling Ranger small, but protective.
The attack has angered animal advocacy groups across Utah.
"This is truly shocking," said Gene Baierschmidt, executive director of the Humane Society of Utah. "How could anyone do something like this to a small, innocent dog?"

The Utah Humane Society is offering a $5,000 reward for information
leading to an arrest and has set up a
medical fund for Ranger. The Animal Advocacy Alliance of Utah is offering an additional $2,000 reward.
Salt Lake County sheriff's detectives are investigating.