A dog died after being set on fire in a West Haven parking lot, police say.

The incident happened on July 5, in the area of Beach Street near Third and Second avenues around 10 a.m.

Officials responded to the scene and found a small dead dog believed to be a one-year-old Miniature Schnauzer with cropped ears and a cropped tail.

Police say the dog was burned to death. 

Former Clinton Police Chief Joseph Faughnan says he walks his dog in the area near where the incident happen and tells News 12 he is confident the West Haven Police will find those responsible. 

 

 

Investigators say it appears the dog had been set on fire in the Sandy Point Beach parking lot, and that an accelerant was used to start the fire.

Police released an image of a white-colored pick up truck and are asking the public's help identifying the owners. Police say they are not considering the owners of the truck to be suspects connected to the incident but do say they would like to interview them. 

Anyone with information is asked to call West Haven police at 203-937-3900, Detective Wolf at 203-937-3934 or the fire marshal's office at 203-931-0031.