Two pit bulls set on fire, 6 more seized
Balch Springs, TX (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Apr 4, 2009
County: Dallas
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged:
» juvenile male
» juvenile male
Dallas police are investigating an incident in which two pit bull terriers were set on fire and so badly burned that they had to be euthanized.
This pit bull terrier was one of two euthanized after they were severely burned Saturday. The dogs were found on fire, running from the intersection of Sunburst and Alps drives, located about a mile west of Balch Springs.
About 11 p.m. Saturday, witnesses saw two dogs on fire running from the intersection of Sunburst and Alps drives, located about a mile west of Balch Springs, police said.
Two teenage boys, 15 and 17, were standing at the corner, but fled when witnesses tried to confront them, police said. Investigators went to the teens' home on Sunburst and found six other pit bulls, which were later placed in the custody of animal control.
"The two dogs were in agonizing pain," said Jonnie England, director of animal advocacy for the Metroplex Animal Coalition, who saw the dogs shortly before they were euthanized. "The little female dog, who was either pregnant or nursing, looked worse than Mercy. Her face was practically burned off."
Mercy was a 10-month-old pit bull mix that was stabbed, doused in gasoline, and set on fire in 2006. The pup's injuries were so extensive, workers at the Operation Kindness Animal Shelter in Carrollton thought she may have been dragged by a car.
Dallas police arrested 21-year-old Deshann Quatrail Brown, and in September 2007, Brown was sentenced to four years in prison for animal cruelty.
"Ironically, April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month," said England. "People have to understand that if you abuse an animal, you will go to jail. Thankfully, more people are stepping up and speaking out for the animal victims of crime — like the neighbors in this case who called the police and tried to help the dogs." References |
