Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Discovers Dog Set On Fire Inside Crate; Arson Suspected

SACRAMENTO COUNTY (CBS13) — A veteran fire captain made a disturbing discovery when she reported to a call of trash burning in Sacramento County.

It wasn't just trash that Capt. Shani Cornell found near Beccera Way and Jo Ann Drive. There was a small dog, trapped in a crate, set ablaze.

"It was really hard," Cornell said.

The dog suffered a twisted fate, and to make it worse, arson investigators say it was done on purpose.

"The dog was alive when it was set on fire," Cornell said.

The sounds of the small dog in distress woke neighbor Vern Rhoads from a sound sleep.

"I didn't see any flame or fire or anything when I first heard the dog screaming," he said. "I just thought it was somebody's stray dog being attacked or something and it was trying to get away."

Cornell's job has been rescuing people and fighting fires for more than a decade now. She's seen a lot of things.

But because of her close relationship with her dogs, it's hard maintaining that firefighter veil of toughness.

"After talking to the people and finding out the dog was alive, it tugged at my heart," she said. "It's awful. It's awful that there's people in the world capable of this."

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case. No arrests have been made.

An $8,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.