The story of a dog that endured unspeakable torture has gone viral and won over millions of hearts in a terrifying narrative of resiliency and the strength of community. On June 20, Riona, a pit bull mix, was doused with gasoline and burned near Nutbush, Memphis. She suffered terrible agony as a result of this horrific deed, which left her with first to second degree burns all over her body and fourth degree burns on her face.
As they look into this tragic tragedy, Tennessee authorities are doing everything they can to bring about justice. A $20,000 reward has been offered to anyone with information that will help identify the offender, even though no arrests have been made. Concerned persons kindly contributed to this considerable prize fund, which reflects the tremendous outrage and empathy that Riona’s predicament has inspired.
Riona was quickly transferred to Memphis Animal Services for much-needed care after being seen running in flames along the streets. She received the assistance and care she needed during this trying time from the Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, which is committed to helping animals in need. They developed a Justice4Riona TikTok page to spread the word about Riona’s story and mobilize support.
Riona’s TikTok page gained almost 2 million followers in a single day, according to a Facebook post by the Tails of Hope Dog Rescue. One video had an incredible 3.7 million views and 584,000 likes. Riona’s bandaged body is depicted in the TikTok photos, underscoring the lengthy path to rehabilitation that lies ahead.
The Tails of Hope Dog Rescue’s founder, Ginger Natoli, provided some positive updates on Riona’s condition, saying that she is recovering “very well.” When they first rescued Riona, they thought she had been burned on the road, but it quickly became clear that she had been intentionally set on fire. This horrifying crime was verified by witness accounts and ring cam footage that was acquired from a neighbor.
The fire caused Riona, a one-year-old puppy who weighed around 35 pounds, to lose the majority of her left ear. Her left eye, though, was miraculously spared. She currently receives sedative-assisted full body wraps twice a day for more than an hour in order to shield her sensitive skin from infection. She is fortunately still infection-free, and next week will see the start of the first of many skin grafts.
The intentionality of this crime infuriated Mallory McLemore, vet tech manager at Bluff City Veterinary Specialists, who said, “Someone did this intentionally.” You can’t simply have someone like that out there.” The prize for information, which is financed by internet donations as Riona’s story gains widespread attention, keeps growing as the inquiry goes on.
It’s important to keep in mind that some types of animal abuse are classified as federal offenses and carry a maximum seven-year prison sentence. Although the Memphis Police Department has stated that no one has been taken into custody, Riona’s justice is still a high priority. Riona’s tale is a sobering reminder that, as a country, we must stand together against injustice and for justice and compassion during these difficult times. We are all motivated to fight cruelty and pursue justice by Riona’s tenacity and the outpouring of support from a compassionate public.
