There's New Hope For Dog Set On Fire By Owner

PALM HARBOR, FL – There’s a renewed sense of hope for the survival of a critically injured dog who was doused with accelerant and lit on fire by her owner.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, staff at the Suncoast Animal League were afraid they’d have to choose euthanasia to prevent Denali, an American Staffordshire terrier, from suffering excruciating pain caused by third-degree burns over much of her body.

Friday night the condition of the dog, under the care of BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa had deteriorated. The league members were planning to meet with vets to discuss Denali's fate.

BluePearl vet Dr. Sylvia Lee now believes that Denali's setback was the result of her developing secondary chemical burns, which can show up weeks after the initial burn injuries.

These new burns appeared on Denali’s neck, the thickest part of a dog’s skin. And Lee is hoping they will be the last she'll need to treat.

Lee is managing Denali’s pain and said the other burned areas on her skin have begun to heal.

Additionally, the 55-pound dog is beginning to regain her appetite. League staff discovered she has a favorite treat: chunky peanut butter.

“Although Denali was still sedated from her bandage change and snored through most of our visit, she did open her eyes a couple of times and lifted her head when we talked to her,” wrote the league on its Facebook page. “We also found out that she has quite a fan club at BluePearl and, as you can tell from the pictures, she looks good in green.”

Denali isn’t out of the woods, however. Lee said her recovery will be a long process.

“There will be good days and bad, and we are having more good days than bad,” she told league members.

You can follow Denali’s progress on the league’s Facebook page.

The league is also seeking donations for Denali’s mounting medical bills. The community can help by clicking the “Donation” button at the top of the Facebook page.

In the meantime, reader Amanda Perez wrote to let the community know that the six other dogs that were in the Lutz house at the time its owner reportedly set it on fire are in good hands.

Perez said there were seven dogs in the house at the time, not eight as previously reported by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

She said the two oldest are with the parents of Sean Corrigan, former husband of Brandi Corrigan, who is currently in Iraq working for a private security contractor. Brandi Corrigan was arrested for the Aug. 25 arson of their home at 23547 Turtle Lakes Road and remains at the Land O’ Lake Detention Center.

As for the other dogs, “One was adopted by a vet tech. I have one and a friend has another,” said Perez. “I believe there is only one at Animal Services. They are all in good homes getting the love they deserve..”

See related stories:

Fate Of Dog Burned When Owner Set Fire To House Uncertain

Lutz Woman Charged With Setting Fire To Home With 8 Dogs Inside

Images via Suncoast Animal League

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