Reward Tops $30K To Find Killers Of Florida Pit Bull

HOLLYWOOD, FL — Animal rights organization PETA announced on Tuesday that it will double its reward to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of a Florida pit bull that was found stuffed inside a suitcase, beaten and stabbed more than 50 times. The total reward money in the case now tops $30,000.

Ollie's sunny disposition won the hearts of the police and veterinary staff who cared for him, and his plight triggered an outpouring of more than 1,300 donations from across the United States and as far away as the United Kingdom and Norway.

"Someone out there knows something about this horrific attack," explained PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. "Whoever did this is downright dangerous, and it's urgent that anyone with information come forward to prevent others from being hurt."

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 on Oct. 10, 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.)

"The FBI, other law-enforcement officials, and social psychologists concur that those who commit acts of willful cruelty to animals are likely to go on to harm humans as well," PETA added. "All serial killers and school shooters have a history of extreme cruelty like that seen in this case. PETA — whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to abuse in any way'— is offering to help fund a forensic investigation, in which fingerprints, hair samples, and other evidence will be examined, to help catch the perpetrator(s)."

A copy of PETA's reward poster is available here, and the organization has urged businesses, schools and sports centers around the Hollywood area to post it.

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. Visit PETA.org for more information on the PETA reward.

"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," said Linda Ream of VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital, which cared for Ollie before he died. "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."

The Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue reported that it had received more than 100 offers to foster Ollie.

Ollie suffered multiple stab wounds and was stuffed in a suitcase. Photo courtesy Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue and VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital.