Dog doused with gasoline, set on fire - Suffolk, VA

Thursday, Sep 30, 2010

County: Suffolk City

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Lashawn M. Harper

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Suffolk police are looking for a man accused of setting his brother's dog on fire. On Thursday, it was uncovered that the dog should never have been allowed to live in the house in the first place.

During an argument with his brother at a home in the 400 block of Webb Street, police said Lashawn Harper threw gasoline on the dog and set him on fire. Harper then fled the scene.

The dog's owner, Demestrius Harper, said he heard the dog barking in the backyard, and when he looked up, he saw someone pour gasoline on it. The owner said, "It's my brother, I don't think a dog's going to come between us." The owner said he plans to take the dog to the vet.

Public Information Officer Debbie George said the dog, a one-year-old male pit bull, was able to put out the fire by rolling in the grass. The animal sustained burns to his face, neck and chest, but the injuries do not appear life threatening, George said.

Court records show that this wasn't the first time Animal Control had been to the home. Since April, officers have responded to 5 calls ranging from checking on the dogs' welfare to barking complaints. In addition, Harper was arrested and convicted of animal cruelty last year too. The Court ordered that he no longer have dogs at his home.

Warrants for one count of animal cruelty and one count of malicious wounding of an animal were secured by Animal Control.

If you have any information on where to find Harper, call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

Case Updates

The man accused of setting his brother's dog on fire has been arrested, Suffolk police said Monday. Earlier this month, during an argument with his brother at a home in the 400 block of Webb Street, police said Lashawn Harper threw gasoline on his brother's dog and set him on fire. Harper then fled the scene. He was arrested Sunday night. Public Information Officer Debbie George said the dog, a one-year-old male pit bull, was able to put out the fire by rolling in the grass. The animal sustained burns to his face, neck and chest, but the injuries do not appear life threatening, George said. Court records show that this wasn't the first time Animal Control had been to the home. Since April, officers have responded to five calls ranging from checking on the dogs' welfare to barking complaints. In addition, Harper was arrested and convicted of animal cruelty last year too. The Court ordered that he no longer have dogs at his home. Harper now faces additional charges, to include, burning and restoring property, malicious wounding of an animal and animal cruelty.

Source: wavy.com - Oct 25, 2010 Update posted on Oct 25, 2010 - 10:44AM

References

• WTKR - Oct 6, 2010 WAVY - Oct 7, 2010

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