Philadelphia Man Gets Jail Time For Setting His Puppy On Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A 33-year-old Philadelphia man pled no contest and was sentenced to two to seven years in prison for burning his pit bull puppy to punish it. The defendant admitted in court that he took out his troubles -- including a custody battle -- on the dog.
John Fleet conceded he burned the dog, a blue nose pit bull puppy named Baby, with a cigarette and then poured rubbing alcohol on the dog's face and set it on fire to punish it because it had nipped at his son.
The dog, screaming and crying, jumped on a couch, actually setting fire to the couch, but survived, according to prosecutor Erin O'Brien.
"He's fine. He's in a very loving foster family. He's not adopted yet because they were waiting for the outcome of this case, but that he does have a family that is waiting to adopt him is my understanding from the SPCA," O'Brien said.
O'Brien also said the dog is almost all better. "He's made an almost complete recovery. I think he still has some scarring, but he is healthy and happy and doing very well."
The defense says Fleet had been drinking heavily, and Fleet says he took out his troubles on the dog.
Reported By Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio.
