Burglar cuts family dog's throat, hangs him by the neck

Broward long time philanthropist finds gruesome threat at home

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Police were looking for the burglar who brutally killed a philanthropist's Dachshund dog in Fort Lauderdale, police said Friday.

When police arrived to the three bedroom home, 2624 NE 26 Place, in Fort Lauderdale, Tuesday, an officer made a gruesome discovery. He followed a light blood trail into a closet, where he found the dog hanging by the neck with a nylon strap affixed to the closet's hanging bar.

Nearby in the hallway, the bloody knife used to kill the dog was on the floor. And carved on the wooden front door was an evil threat: "YOU NEXT," a police report said.

The burglar "gained entry into the residence via the rear French doors," Det. DeAnna Greenlaw said.

Records list Elaine Vasquez, a long time philanthropist in Broward, as the property owner. Her late husband, Erwin Vasquez, was a cardiologist who ran a free medical clinic in Oakland Park until his death of prostate cancer in 2010.

Police were asking anyone with information to call Detective Michael Benson at 954-828-6561.