UPDATED: Two teens arrested for setting dogs on fire in Dallas

by PegNews wire

Two dogs were set on fire in Pleasant Grove Saturday night, and the Dallas Police and Dallas Animal Services have launched a joint investigation.

Dallas Police responded to a 911 call on Sunburst in southeast Dallas after residents reported seeing two “fireballs” running down the street. Several neighbors offered help to the dogs while others tried to catch the two teenaged boys suspected of setting the dogs on fire. By the time police arrived, the 15- and 17-year-old suspects had run from the scene.

Dallas Animal Services officers were called in to rescue the dogs. Both were burned so badly that they were euthanized Sunday. Six other dogs were impounded from the suspects’ address and are in protective custody at Dallas Animal Services.

“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 another pit bull terrier who was stabbed, doused with gasoline and set on fire by her owner three years ago this month. Despite efforts to save her life, she died 10 days later. DeShawn Brown was convicted of third-degree animal cruelty and sentenced to four years in prison for his crime.

“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.”

To report any suspected animal cruelty, call 911.

UPDATE: Two 17-year-olds were arrested Thursday morning for setting two dogs on fire earlier this month in Southeast Dallas.

Lefferreio Sudds and Jucorey Davis are charged with April 4 crime. Dallas Police responded to 911 calls from witnesses on Sunburst Drive in Pleasant Grove who reported seeing “two fireballs” running down the street and screaming in pain.

Sudds and Davis, who will be tried as adults, have been charged with a State Jail felony, which carries a maximum punishment of two years in prison. Both are being held on $5,000 bond in Dallas’ Lew Sterrett Justice Center.

The dogs, referred to as Hope and Justice by animal advocates who held a candlelight vigil in their memory, were euthanized by Dallas Animal Services. Both dogs suffered extensive burns over much of their bodies.

“We’re very pleased and relieved that these arrests have been made,” said Jonnie England, Director of Animal Advocacy for the Metroplex Animal Coalition, who saw and photographed the dogs at Dallas Animal Services before they were euthanized. “This is a vicious, violent crime, and those responsible need to be punished for their actions.”

England commended the investigators in the case. “The Dallas Police and Det. Tommy Weesner, who led the investigation, recognized immediately the significance of this horrible crime,” she said. “They have done an outstanding job interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence.” England also noted that the Dallas County District Attorney’s office has been involved in the investigation from the beginning.

In a related case, seven other dogs found on Sudds’ property were seized the same night the two dogs were set on fire and taken into protective custody by Dallas Animal Services.

During a civil hearing before Dallas Municipal Judge Michael Acuna on April 15, police officers, animal cruelty investigators and a Dallas Animal Services veterinarian described the dogs’ health, physical condition and injuries. The seven dogs, including a 4-month-old puppy, all had major health problems and numerous wounds indicating they had been fought or had been the victims of dog fighting.

Judge Acuna found that the dogs had been cruelty treated and ordered that ownership be taken away from Michael Wilbert, step-father of Lefferreio Sudds. The judge ordered that the dogs be humanely destroyed based on the testimony by Dallas Animal Services. Wilbert was ordered to pay all costs associated with the care of the dogs while at Dallas Animal Services.

Immediately following the hearing, Wilbert was arrested for outstanding warrants in other cases and for parole violation and currently remains in custody.

This is the second case in Dallas in three years involving dogs set on fire. In April 2006, a dog named Mercy was stabbed, doused with gasoline and set on fire. Her owner, DeShawn Brown, was found guilty of a third-degree felony and sentenced to four years in prison.

“Ironically, just today, the Fifth District Court of Appeals affirmed DeShawn Brown’s conviction for an almost identical crime,” said England. “These cases send a strong, clear message that we have zero tolerance for animal cruelty. If you abuse an animal, you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted, and you will go to jail.”

Source: Metroplex Animal Coalition

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