Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Beaten, stabbed pit bull dies
Dog’s plight captured hearts
HOLLYWOOD — Ollie, the pit bull that captured the hearts of hundreds of animal lovers worldwide, has died.
Veterinarians did all they could to save him, but he succumbed Thursday night to severe wounds inflicted two days earlier.
Ollie took a beating no dog ever should: He was stabbed more than 50 times and left for dead, trapped inside a blue suitcase.
A passer-by heard his cries about 1 a.m.
Tuesday and called police, who came to his rescue and rushed him to the VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital.
Ollie’s story touched the hearts of animal lovers across the country, with hundreds offering to give him a good home all the way from California, Minnesota and Washington. In just two days, a GoFundMe page set up by Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue raised more than $40,000 toward his care.
Jan Milbyer, founder of Grateful Paws, was devastated after getting a text Friday morning from the animal hospital telling her Ollie had died at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
“I was crying when he was alive, so I’m even worse now,” she said. “There were so many people offering to adopt him. But he died knowing he was surrounded by people who cared.”
Despite all he’d been through, Ollie remained sweet, trusting and friendly, his caretakers said. A vet and vet tech were hoping to adopt the dog whose tail didn’t stop wagging. Everyone thought he would pull through.
“When he died, there were tears everywhere,” said Linda Ream, spokeswoman for the animal hospital. “It was silent in the building. Our doctors worked so hard to give Ollie that chance to stay with us.”
Milbyer says she is planning a memorial for Ollie with the help of hospital staff.
A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and help with the police investigation, Ream said. After that, Ollie will be cremated.
Donations will go to pay Ollie’s vet bill, which is now more than $10,000.
Dr. Nicole Patterson, the vet overseeing Ollie’s care, said a medical team performed CPR for about an hour but was unable to revive him. The inflammation and damage from his stab wounds were too traumatic.
The news spread quickly on Facebook, where fans of Ollie had been eagerly tracking his progress, rooting for him to make it.
“Rest in peace beautiful boy!” one woman wrote. “You died surrounded by love and you touched hearts all over the world.”
Another hoped justice would come swiftly: “In your name and legacy, everyone will fight now to find your abuser. You will never be forgotten.”
Love for Ollie came all the way from Finland: “Sweet angel, RIP. I live in Finland and I’m crying my eyes out. I hope they find the person who did this to you.”
Hollywood police say they are still looking for the person who abused Ollie.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest and conviction. The person who committed the crime could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Detectives urge anyone with information to call 954-967-4411 or contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or browardcrimestoppers.org.