Update: Savage Police Seek Leads in Attack on Pitbull

Update: 2:50 p.m. Friday: Savage Police now say the dog was not abducted, beaten or attacked, but may have been hit by a car.

Update 11:37 a.m. Friday: Midwest Animal Rescue and Services posted the following on their Facebook page at about 9:30 a.m. today: "We would like to thank all of you on behalf of Cesar's family for the incredible outpouring of love and support through this time. Cesar is home and resting and he has a long road ahead of him for recovery, not only physically but also emotionally. He is an amazing dog and we have been blessed to call him part of our family. Please keep the positive thoughts going for his recovery and be sure to hug your furry faced family members a little more each day. We will keep you updated on his progress. Again, thank you."

Authorities are looking for those responsible – and are now offering a $1,000 for information leading to an arrest – for beating and torturing a dog in Savage.

According to a report from KARE 11, the attack on Cesar, a pitbull, occurred on Wednesday afternoon, after his owners let him out into a fenced yard with two other dogs. About 20 minutes later, Cesar appeared in the familly's driveway, limping and bloodied. The two other dogs, a black lab and Chihuahua mix, were unharmed. 

Investigators say they're pretty sure it was not a random attack because the message "back off" was scrawled on the dog's back, according to a report on FOX 9 News.

The dog's owner, Robert Cole, is a dog trainer who specializes in calming aggressive dogs, the report said. Since his work frequently puts him in contact with Midwest Animal Rescue and Services, they paid his vet bill -- and have established a fund to help cover costs. Anyone wishing to donate can make a contribution online.

Midwest Animal Rescue and Services, which first reported the incident on its Facebook page, issued a statement in which they say the dog was targeted because of his breed, which is often depicted as violent in popular media.

Midwest Animal Rescue and Services is taking a stand in this situation because we personally know Cesar and his standing as an ambassador for his breed. He is a pit bull. We have worked directly with him and he has assisted us in rehabilitating dogs. We want to highlight this tragedy and the atrocity of what a human can do to an animal so it does not happen again. He is not a savage as a pit bull is portrayed so often in the media. However, how this breed has been portrayed in the media perpetrates what was done to him simply because of his breed.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Savage Police at 952-882-2600. The reward of $1,000 has been offered by Savage police for information leading to an arrest in this crime. 

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