Dog beaten, mutilated and burned to death
Bay Minette, AL (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2005
County: Baldwin

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: 9 year old boy

A nine-year-old boy is facing felony animal abuse charges after allegedly beating a dog, cutting its legs off and setting it on fire. The boy's name has not been released because he's a juvenile.

Bay Minnette Police Chief Michael Rowland says the dog's owner was in the process of moving and temporarily chained the cocker spaniel to a tree outside.

Photographs show the animal was still attached to the chain leash when it was beaten to death with a two-by-four piece of lumber. When the owner arrived home from work, the animal had been burned beyond recognition.

Investigators say the motive is unclear. Rowland says the boy has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation will determine whether or not the boy should stand trial or get help for what police said he did.

References

• MSNBC - July 6, 2005
• WKRG - June 20 2005
• WEAR - July 1, 2005
• WPMI - July 1, 2005

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