RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)– Heartbreak has taken over Central Virginia after beloved pit bull, Tommie, died Friday from his injuries.

“I took him in as one of my own,” dog lover Jordan Moritz said. “I think a lot of people fell in love with him and took him in their very own families.”

Last Sunday someone tied him up and set him on fire at Abner Clay Park. Richmond City Council member Kim Gray has been advocating for change since before this happened, now the push is even harder.

“It probably would not have happened if the individual knew that this place was monitored,” said Gray.

Gray believes adding more cameras and lights will help a lot of the crimes that happen at the park.

“I’ve lived in this neighborhood for more than 20 years and it’s time that we start investing in all of our city and all of our parks. It’s heart-wrenching to think such a horrific crime can happen so close to home,” said Gray.

She tells 8News there’s a lot of crime that happens in that park, but this was a bit more troubling.

“It’s a little eerie to think that there’s someone in our community that is this cruel to an animal,” Gray said. “It makes you wonder what they might be doing to others.”

A memorial has been started for Tommie in the park.

A memorial has been started in Abner Clay Park for Tommie the pit bull who died yesterday after being set on fire along this fence.

One Richmond City Council member is advocating for changes to be made. Hear from her on @8NEWS at 11. pic.twitter.com/pkeEOz2iss— Nick Conigliaro 8News (@NConigliaroNews) February 17, 2019

And people who are adding to it agree a change should be made, “He deserves everything, even in remembrance forever. He really does cause no animal, no person should have to go through that,” said Moritz. “But if there were cameras over here this would be a whole different situation.”

RACC has update information about when Tommie will be laid to rest:

Where: Richmond Animal Care and Control, 1600 Chamberlayne Ave., Richmond VA 23222

When: Tuesday, Feb. 19, through Friday, Feb. 22, 2 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, noon – 5 p.m.

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