Firefighters: Dog trapped inside carrier burned alive

California firefighters responding to an incident Wednesday found a small dog carrier on fire -- with a dog inside, according to Sacramento Metropolitan Fire spokesperson Michelle Eidam.

Eidam said Sacramento crews responded to the fire at Oak Plains Masonic Lodge.

"A sane person wouldn't do that to an animal," neighbor Chris Aliano said.

Aliano lives across the street from where the crime occurred. He said his dad heard a dog whimpering overnight, but he wasn't alarmed since a neighbor dog frequently makes noises.

It wasn't until fire crews responded that Aliano's dad knew something was wrong.

"He heard one of the fireman say there was a dog inside the crate," Aliano said.

Eidam said tags identifying the dog weren't found at the scene.

"When all the pieces were together, it was clearly a dog that was tortured here last night," Eidam said.

There were no witnesses or suspects, according to Eidam.

The Sacramento Sheriff's Department is investigating this case of animal cruelty.