UPDATEDx2: Warrant issued for man believed to have harmed Justice the puppy

by Sarah Blaskovich

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The candlelight vigil for the dog is on Friday at City Hall.

DOWNTOWN DALLAS — The puppy named Justice who died from burns to 70% of his body will have a memorial hosted in his name at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20 at Dallas City Hall.

Justice was found in early April after being doused with lighter fluid and set on fire. He was taken in by DFW Rescue Me, given medical attention by veterinarians, and shipped to Texas A&M in College Station where he died from his injuries. Dallas Police say they are actively looking for information that can lead to an arrest, and the SPCA of Texas is offering a $5,000 reward $25,000 reward.

[UPDATE: The reward has been increased to $25,000. It includes the $10,000 from an anonymous donor, $5,000 from the Murrell Foundation, and the SPCA of Texas' original donation, plus an increased donation from the SPCA's supporters.]

As of Tuesday afternoon, police would not release details about where the investigation has led.

[UPDATEx2: The Dallas County Sheriff's office has issued a warrant for Darius Ewing, 18, who threw a lit cigarette on the dog.]

Justice's case has brought on a wave of support from animal lovers all over the country, said Jim Wenger, volunteer and co-founder of DFW Rescue Me. Their website, where the public can make donations for the general fund or for a special Justice Fund, had to be moved to a new server recently because of too much web traffic.

"That's a quality problem to have," Wenger said. "Justice is going to help a lot of dogs, and his story is going to help a lot of dogs. Hopefully it will change people's view on animal cruelty. I just wish he was here to see that."

Wenger describes Justice as a terrified puppy who quickly warmed up to volunteers and vets. "When the A&M vet told me he wasn't going to make it, she said his tail was still wagging, even though he didn't have enough blood pressure to wag his tail," Wenger said. "They were controlling his pain, and every time you talked to him, his tail would wag. He wanted to give kisses. He finally knew love, and I'm glad I could be a part of his life, even for a few days."

"I absolutely miss him," he said.

Dogs are welcome to the memorial on Friday. A funeral will take place on Saturday at Toothacres in Carrollton, a boarding facility and pet cemetery.

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