Owner of dog set on fire arrested, charged with animal cruelty

FLORIDA -- FOX 13 News has learned the the owner of a dog that was set on fire has been arrested.

Larry Wallace has been charged with cruelty to animals and arson; both are felonies. He is being held without bond in the DeSoto County Jail.

The 1-year-old mixed breed dog was set on fire in Arcadia last month. According to investigators and rescuers, a group of children found her on fire March 20.

She suffered serious burns and the Hardee Animal Rescue Team (HART) initially took her in for treatment.

She was later transferred to an animal hospital in Tampa, where she has been under treatment ever since.

Vets said she had burns over 60 to 70 percent of her body, as well as her eyes. They say she has been making a remarkable recovery, walking around, eating, and even barking at the occasional passing car.

In the meantime, thousands of dollars in donations have poured in to pay her expenses.

(Fox13 - April 14, 2014)

Earlier:

• Owner set dog on fire; dog survives