S.F. shelter offers reward for info on dog abuser

Maximilian, a 1- to 2-year-old pit bill mix, was found severely abused under the freeway in San Francisco Thursday morning. Officials from Animal Care and Control are canvassing the area and hoping a $500 reward will help them catch whoever is responsible. less Maximilian, a 1- to 2-year-old pit bill mix, was found severely abused under the freeway in San Francisco Thursday morning. Officials from Animal Care and Control are canvassing the area and hoping a $500 ... more Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close S.F. shelter offers reward for info on dog abuser 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Officials are hoping that a little publicity will help them track down whoever abused a pit bull and abandoned him in San Francisco on Thursday.

The pooch, a 1- to 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix who staff at the shelter are calling Maximilian, was found around 6 a.m. under the freeway near the corner of Disvision Street and South Van Ness, said Deb Campbell, a spokeswoman for San Francisco Animal Care and Control.

(Warning: The following description of Maximilian’s injuries is graphic and will, especially if you are an animal-lover, make you question your faith in humanity.)

The dog was found suffering from cigarette and other types of burns, broken and missing teeth, blunt force trauma to the head and body and injuries to his legs and paws, including missing pads and nails.

“We’re still not sure he’s going to make it,” said Virginia Donohue, executive director of Animal Care and Control, noting that Maximilian’s kidneys were badly damaged by the blunt force trauma. “This dog has some spirit though and we’re hoping for the best.”

Donohue said that after Maximilian was found, he was receptive to petting and even wagged his tail. When he went in to see the veterinarian on Friday morning he even flipped over for a belly rub from one of the shelter workers, Donohue said.

“He’s a friendly guy, which makes this kind of abuse all the more heartbreaking,” she said.

Officers from the agency were out canvassing the neighborhood where Maximilian was found and a $500 reward was offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction of his abuser.

Donohue encouraged anyone who wants to contribute to the reward fund to visit the Friends of Animal Control website to donate.

“This animal clearly suffered horribly at the hands of someone and we’re worried about him,” she said. “But we also want to catch whoever did this to make sure they can’t do anything like this again.”

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything relating to the case was urged to call (415)554-9400.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale