{"id":43963,"date":"2025-11-08T09:08:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T09:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/43963\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T09:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T09:08:13","slug":"dog-hospitalized-after-being-set-on-fire-at-homeless-encampment-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/43963\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog hospitalized after being set on fire at homeless encampment in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Animal advocates say they\u2019re seeing a disturbing increase in dogs being abused, neglected and even set on fire at homeless encampments across Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

About two weeks ago, on Florence Avenue in South L.A., a 1-year-old Shepherd mix named Luke had been set on fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was intentional,\u201d said Sandra Viveros with Compton Paw Patrol,<\/a> a nonprofit dog rescue group. \u201cIt was done by the homeless people at the encampment. They set him on fire and he took off running [away from the encampment]. He went to some nearby homes, and he\u2019s a smart boy, so I\u2019m assuming he was asking for help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke was eventually taken to the hospital for treatment by a good Samaritan. He was found with burns covering almost his entire body and had remained in intensive care.<\/p>\n

\"Luke,<\/p>\n

Luke, a 1-year-old Shepherd mix, is recovering after he was set on fire by someone at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. (Compton Paw Patrol)<\/p>\n

\"Luke<\/p>\n

Luke was found with third- and fourth-degree burns all over his body and was suffering from smoke inhalation. (Compton Paw Patrol)<\/p>\n

\"Luke,<\/p>\n

Luke, a 1-year-old Shepherd mix, is recovering after he was set on fire by someone at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. (Compton Paw Patrol)<\/p>\n

\"Luke,<\/p>\n

Luke, a 1-year-old Shepherd mix, is recovering after he was set on fire by someone at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. (Compton Paw Patrol)<\/p>\n

\"Animal<\/p>\n

Animal advocates say they\u2019re seeing a disturbing increase in dogs being abused, neglected and even set on fire at homeless encampments across Los Angeles. (KTLA)<\/p>\n

\"Animal<\/p>\n

Animal advocates say they\u2019re seeing a disturbing increase in dogs being abused, neglected and even set on fire at homeless encampments across Los Angeles. (KTLA)<\/p>\n

\"Animal<\/p>\n

Animal advocates say they\u2019re seeing a disturbing increase in dogs being abused, neglected and even set on fire at homeless encampments across Los Angeles. (KTLA)<\/p>\n

\"Animal<\/p>\n

Animal advocates say they\u2019re seeing a disturbing increase in dogs being abused, neglected and even set on fire at homeless encampments across Los Angeles. (KTLA)<\/p>\n

\"Luke<\/p>\n

Luke was found with third- and fourth-degree burns all over his body and was suffering from smoke inhalation. (Compton Paw Patrol)<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had third- and fourth-degree burns,\u201d Viveros told KTLA\u2019s Sandra Mitchell. \u201cHe was also suffering from smoke inhalation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Victoriah Parker, cofounder of Starts with One Today,<\/a> an animal rescue nonprofit, said that although the issue is a known one, over the past several weeks, they\u2019ve seen a sharp increase in reports and calls for help about animal abuse.<\/p>\n

Some dogs have been found tortured, tied up and even stuffed in suitcases and trash bags.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, it\u2019s not a shocker to us,\u201d Parker said..<\/p>\n

Parker\u2019s organization has been working to help dogs on Skid Row and across the Southland for years. She said the number of dogs living in deplorable conditions and exposed to dangerous drugs on the streets is becoming an epidemic in L.A.<\/p>\n

\u201cA homeless encampment is not a place for dogs,\u201d Parker said. \u201cWe\u2019re not talking specifically about an individual who\u2019s down on their luck and still wants to keep their pet. We\u2019re talking about homeless encampments where crime and drugs are the center of their encampment. That\u2019s really what the problem is.\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached out to city officials about the recent increase in abuse reports, but said she\u2019s received little response.<\/p>\n

Although no suspect has been arrested in connection with Luke\u2019s case, his caretakers at Compton Paw Patrol<\/a> said they\u2019re thankful he\u2019s healing and regaining his strength every day.<\/p>\n

Viveros said Luke is one of the lucky ones who, unlike other abused animals at encampments, will survive and eventually find his forever family.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be able to live a very happy life,\u201d Viveros said. \u201cHe just needs to heal. He might have some scars from the burns, but he\u2019ll be okay. He\u2019s strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke will remain in recovery for about six more weeks before he will be eligible for adoption. A GoFundMe page to help with medical costs for Luke\u2019s recovery can be found here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

More information about Luke and other dogs searching for their forever homes can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. <\/a><\/p>\n