Man arrested after dog stolen & burned; Beatrice needs your help
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Monday, April 7th, FOX6 News introduced you to Beatrice -- a dog that had been stolen and burned over 90 percent of her body. A local charity is trying to do everything it can to help Beatrice and her owner as she recovers and her medical bills mount.
The horrific cruelty that Beatrice endured and is working to recover from has touched many people. That includes a local woman who created Animal Fairy Charities -- an organization set up to help animal welfare non-profit organizations.
"She reminds me of the little eighth wonder," Debra Lopez said of Beatrice.
Beatrice is a five-year-old mixed-breed dog whom, despite being burned over 90 percent of her body, still has the ability to light up a room.
"I took a look at Beatrice and I mean, I was amazed. She was so happy," Lopez said.
Soon after Beatrice arrived at the Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals, Lopez was brought in.
"I met Beatrice and her owner and I was floored. I could not believe somebody could do such a thing," Lopez said.
Beatrice was stolen from her very own backyard on March 13th. She was found 11 days later near Potawatomi Bingo Casino cold, with most of her body badly burned.
"I fell in love and I thought, you know, we have to find the person that did this, person or persons," Lopez said.
Lopez founded Animal Fairy Charities back in 2007. It's an organization formed to help animal welfare non-profit organizations.
"I thought we could help by putting out a reward for the perpetrators that did this," Lopez said.
Quickly, it grew into something much bigger.
"People just started calling and said 'how do we help Beatrice?'" Lopez said.
Lopez says money began pouring in.
"From California to Florida, New York, a lot in Wisconsin -- she's just touched so many people," Lopez said.
On Wednesday, Milwaukee police confirmed with FOX6 News a 21-year-old man has been arrested for stealing Beatrice.
"It's scary because research tells us there's a pattern. If people hurt animals that leads to also hurting people," Lopez said.
As the investigation continues, so does Beatrice's recovery, which is going to take at least a few months.
"I see people come together for animals who are abused, but I've never seen anything like this. I mean just phenomenal," Lopez said.
The person arrested has not yet been charged in the case.
Beatrice was said to be doing okay on Wednesday -- but she is said to be very tired.
If you would like to help Beatrice, please CLICK HERE.