The search is on for the person responsible for the murder of a young dog.
A 1-year-old female Pit Bull-mix was found hanged from playground equipment inside Barrett Playground at 8th and Duncannon Streets in the Olney section of Philadelphia early Tuesday, the Pennsylvania SPCA says.
The dog's leash was used to suspend her several inches off the ground, slowly causing her to suffocate, officials say.
"They only tied the dog up high enough that so that it probably only had about a half an inch [from the ground] so it could touch the ground and not touch the ground," PSPCA spokesperson George Bengal said. "It was a pretty gruesome scene."
Bengal says the dog's paw pads were bloodied from struggling. "This dog suffered quite a bit," he said.
The dog's collar and leash has been taken into evidence. Officials say there is no indication that the dog was used as a fighter before her death.
Officials are canvassing the area to see if anyone may have witnessed the hanging. A $3,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
If you have information, call the PSPCA cruelty tip line at 866.601.7722.
