A 22-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to a crate with a puppy inside.
Ra'shae Syrtaj Jermaine Johnson is accused of intentionally harming his pet, who was taken to hospital with burns.
Firefighters voiced their disbelief at the cruelty after the dog - named Korra by rescuers - was found in a park in Colombus, Ohio.
Mike DeFrancisco, Columbus Fire and Explosives Unit, told Fox28 : “We see a lot of bad things on a daily basis, but this really cut a lot of our people to the core. This one hurts."
Police said Johnson had confessed to setting fire to the plastic crate with the dog inside.
He is now charged with a fifth degree felony for 'Provisions Concerning Companion Animals'.
It happened between 11.30am and 12.30pm on October 11, when fire crews were putting out a crate fire - before noticing the injured dog.
In a statement on Facebook the Colombus Division of Fire wrote: "Firefighters responded to the park just after noon and found a small area of melted plastic on fire underneath a tree in the park.
"As firefighters were extinguishing the fire, they observed a small yellow/ blond puppy with white feet, and a white flea collar, running in the area.
"The firefighters realized that the puppy had black plastic melted to her back and realized the puppy had been in the cage."
The dog was treated for burns at the nearby Diley Hill Animal Center.
Authorities said they were overwhelmed by offers to pay for Korra's treatment, and her owner was arrested on Friday.
The department said: "We were overwhelmed by the community involvement and the generosity of those who offered money for medical bills and reward money.
"Because of your help, within 24 hours fire investigators were able to identify a suspect and bring him in for questioning. He eventually confessed to lighting fire to the plastic crate."
Korra is now being cared for by a new family and is recovering well.
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