'Ollie,' Dog Stuffed In Suitcase, Dies From Injuries

HOLLYWOOD, FL — "Ollie" the dog has passed away. The pit bull was found stuffed in a suitcase, beaten and stabbed more than 50 times earlier this week. His sunny disposition won the hearts of the police and veterinary staff who cared for him and his plight triggered an outpouring of donations from across the united states and as far away as the United Kingdom and Norway.

"Late yesterday afternoon Ollie started to deteriorate," acknowledged Linda Ream of VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital, where Ollie underwent two operations this week after he was found by Hollywood police behind an abandoned building. "His Dr. began to address his systems with more intensive medical care although his body was overcome with fatigue and damage and it could not handle it."

Ream said on Friday that the emergency and specialty cardiology team at the animal hospital performed CPR on Ollie for more than an hour. "However, Ollie’s body was too overwhelmed and he passed at 8:30 p.m."

She added that the hospital was planning to perform a necropsy to help detectives with their animal cruelty investigation.

"This has been a tragic case," she told Patch. "Our staff and our community has been moved by Ollie and in his last hours he was surrounded by 30 people that loved and cared about him."

Animal rights organization PETA has posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to an animal cruelty arrest and conviction in the case as more than 1,300 animal lovers showered a GoFundMe page with more than $40,000 to cover Ollie's vet bills.

"It’s possible that someone may recognize this brown pit bull or the blue suitcase and may know who committed this violent crime," Colin Henstock, an investigation specialist with PETA in Washington, D.C. told Patch on Thursday "We want to encourage them to contact the police immediately before anyone else gets hurt or killed."

Ollie was suffering from stab wounds to his head and body when police found him behind an abandoned building in the 1900 block of Lee Street early Tuesday morning, according to Miranda Grossman of the Hollywood Police Department. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"Officers heard a dog cry come from within the suitcase," Grossman explained.

Ollie was taken to VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital where he received care by veterinarian Nicole Patterson.

"He is just a very sweet dog. He has consistently been interactive and engaging and just gentle. That was true the moment he came in," VCA's Ream told Patch on Thursday when it looked as though he was going to pull through. "I mean when the police officers brought him in he was wagging his tail. Every day he has been just a love, a complete love."

Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue reported that it had received more than 100 offers to foster Ollie. The GoFundMe page that was set up to cover Ollie's vet bills had received $40,609 as of Friday based on an initial goal of $1,500. Ream said that the vet bills were around $7,000 as of Thursday before any additional surgery or care. She said that any money raised beyond what was necessary to cover the vet bills would be put to use by the no-kill shelter to help other animals.

Ream had said on Thursday that Ollie appeared tired from his surgeries. She was impressed by his "remarkable" spirit and sweet disposition despite everything he had been through.

To report a tip, call Hollywood detectives at 954-967-4411. Tipsters can email or text hollywoodpdtips@hollywoodfl.org. Alternatively, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or www.browardcrimestoppers.org.

Ollie suffered multiple stab wounds and was stuffed in a suitcase. He is seen with veterinarian Nicole Patterson and technician Emma Lowe on Thursday. He passed away later that night. Photo courtesy Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue.