Litter of 13 puppies dies after being set on fire; Lexington animal control investigates

Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control is investigating a case of animal cruelty in which a litter of puppies was apparently abandoned and set on fire.

The 13 pups were found near the intersection of Todds Road and North Cleveland Road Wednesday, the agency said in a Facebook post.

“In a shocking act of cruelty, it appears that someone deliberately set fire to these innocent lives,” the post stated.

Animal Care and Control shared a photo Thursday of a puppy that it said was “a tiny fighter” and “the sole survivor from the litter,” but on Friday morning, the agency said that puppy also had died Thursday night. The puppy was estimated to be eight days old.

Animal Care and Control asked that anyone with information call their cruelty investigator at 859-255-9033, extension 229.

“We urgently need your help to bring the person responsible to justice,” the Facebook post stated. “Together, we can ensure no other animals endure such cruelty.”