PETA Offers Reward In Case Of Dog Stuffed In Suitcase

HOLLYWOOD, FL — Animal rights organization PETA has posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to an animal cruelty arrest and conviction in the case of a Florida pit bull mix given the name "Ollie" by police as more than 1,200 animal lovers showered a GoFundMe page with $38,000 to cover the animal's vet bills. Ollie was found stuffed inside a suitcase, beaten and stabbed more than 50 times. Hollywood police noticed his paw sticking out of the blue suitcase behind an abandoned building early Tuesday morning.

"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."

Watch: PETA Offers Reward In Case Of Dog Stuffed In Suitcase

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, 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 recalled.

Ollie was taken to VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital where he received care by veterinarian Nicole Patterson, who along with other hospital staff have been moved by his sunny disposition.

"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 Linda Ream told Patch on Thursday. "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."

Ream said that Ollie has already undergone two surgeries and may need a third. He will be kept in the hospital for at least several more weeks.

Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue is looking for a foster home for Ollie. The organization reported that it had received more than 100 offers to foster Ollie and donations from as far away as the United Kingdom and Norway.

The GoFundMe page that was set up to cover Ollie's vet bills had received $37,974 as of Thursday afternoon 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. She said that any money raised beyond what is necessary to cover the vet bills would be put to use by the no-kill shelter to help other animals.

Ollie did not have a chip and was wearing a collar without a tag when he arrived at VCA.

"Someone is behind the cruel attack on this dog," added PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien. "PETA is calling on anyone who recognizes this animal or this suitcase to come forward immediately so that whoever stabbed, beat, and tried to hide this suffering dog in a suitcase can be stopped from hurting anyone else."

Ream said that Ollie appeared tired from his surgeries on Thursday. She said that Hollywood police officers have stopped by several times to visit. Through it all, Ollie remains a happy dog.

"It’s remarkable. He seems to hold no grudge," said Ream

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. Photo courtesy Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue.