Nation IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : Police Post Reward in Dog Torture Death

Miami police have posted a $12,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the torture and killing of a dog that had been rescued from the streets and named Lassie because of his resemblance to the TV collie. The dog, its legs bound with pink electrical wire, was found hanged by its neck from a gate and burned. His fur was still smoking. “Whoever did this was a monster,” said Police Lt. Bill Schwartz. The dog’s killer could be charged with felony burglary and cruelty and torture to animals, crimes punishable by up to five years in prison. The dog was taken from his owner’s back yard, then dragged several blocks and tortured, police said.