Ohio: Kevin Sullivan is accused of setting a cat on fire with lighter fluid; the cat suffered and burned until an officer shot it

OHIO -- Bond has been set at $50,000 for a Middletown man accused of setting a cat on fire.

Kevin Lee Sullivan, 32, was arraigned Friday in Middletown Municipal Court on a felony charge of animal cruelty for the alleged September incident on Howard Avenue.

Judge Melynda Cook Howard set the stiff bond and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 8. Standard bond for such a fifth-degree felony is $5,000.

Middletown Police and Butler County Deputy Dog Warden Jamie Hearlihy were dispatched Sept. 18 to Howard Avenue near Arlington Avenue, where the fire department had put out the cat that was on fire and being burned alive.

 

 

A police officer shot the cat to put it out of its misery and end its suffering, according to a police report.

Samples taken from the cat and the blanket used to smother the fire indicated that lighter fluid was used, according to court records.

There were no burn marks on the pads of the cat’s feet so the cat did not run through lighter fluid,” Hearlihy wrote in the complaint.

 

This woman, who tried to save the cat, said flames

were "this high" off its back as it was burning alive

Police said Sullivan initially lied to them about his involvement, but an investigation by Middletown police and the dog warden’s office led back to him as a suspect.

“This is absolutely disturbing, and this guy definitely needs to be off the streets,” Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said in October when a warrant was issued for Sullivan’s arrest. “I have a room for him here in my jail, where he needs to be. I don’t understand people who harm or torture a defenseless animal. It is a very cowardly thing to do.”

 

ARREST INFORMATION:
Full Name: Kevin Lee Sullivan
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 205 lbs
Hair Color: BLACK
Eye Color: BROWN
Birthdate: 05/16/1985
Arrest Age: 32
Date:12/09/2017
Time: 2:15 AM
Location: Butler County, Ohio
Arrest Location: PIMA COUNTY JAIL, Butler, OH
Total Bond: $50,000
Charge:
#1 CRUELTY TO A COMPANION ANIMAL (FELONY)
BOND: $50,000
NOTES: UNSENTENCED, CASH ONLY BOND

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(Hamilton Journal News - Dec 1, 2017)

Earlier:

• Ohio: "The cat was screaming and the whole thing was on fire"
• Ohio: Court date set for Kevin Sullivan, accused of burning a cat to death

Ohio: Court date set for Kevin Sullivan, accused of burning a cat to death

OHIO -- A man facing a felony charge after allegedly setting a cat on fire was taken into custody Wednesday — more than a month after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kevin Lee Sullivan, 32, of Middletown, is charged with animal cruelty, a fifth-degree felony, for the alleged September incident on Howard Avenue.

Police said Sullivan used lighter fluid to set the cat on fire. A Middletown police officer had to shoot the cat to put it out of its misery, according to a report.

Police said Sullivan initially lied to them about his involvement, but an investigation by Middletown police and the dog warden’s office led back to him as a suspect.

“This is absolutely disturbing, and this guy definitely needs to be off the streets,” Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said in October when a warrant was issued for Sullivan’s arrest. “I have a room for him here in my jail, where he needs to be. I don’t understand people who harm or torture a defenseless animal. It is a very cowardly thing to do.”

Sullivan was booked into the Middletown City Jail at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Middletown Municipal Court, according to court records.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(Journal News - Nov. 30, 2017)

Earlier:

• Ohio: "The cat was screaming and the whole thing was on fire"

Ohio: "The cat was screaming and the whole thing was on fire"

OHIO -- Residents in one Middletown community are up in arms after they said a cat was burned alive. They believe it was intentionally done by someone in the neighborhood.

One neighbor said she heard her kids screaming and when she came outside the cat was completely engulfed in flames. She and others did what they could save the the cat, but sadly it died from its injuries.

Residents along Howard Avenue said they saw something they'll never forget come out of an alley way.

"The flames were that high coming off the cats back. That's the Gods honest truth," Angie Hall said. "It stopped right there on the side walk and I grabbed something from my porch and I hit it like 15 times to put the fire out. The cat was screaming and the whole thing was on fire."

"When she finally put the cat out it probably had about 30 percent of its hair and it was completely black. Scorched. It's mouth was open and it was gasping for air," Tanya Spicer said. 

 

Firefighters arrived and when police officers arrived, they saw the cat was in horrific pain, completely black and charred from being burnt alive and beyond saving so one of the officers shot it to end its suffering.

Neighbors said police took an accelerant from the scene and marked it as evidence.

Meg Melampy, president of Joesph's Legacy, said an adult is responsible for the injuries to the cat and she was horrified when she heard about what happened.

"It's horrible. I don't know I don't understand... it's an epidemic why? Why you know? I don't understand the mentality a cat was burned on fire," she said.

The cat had to be eunthanized because it could not survive its injuries.

People in the neighborhood want answers.

"This was a neighborhood cat. Everyone in this neighborhood. We all fed it. It was a neighborhood cat," Spicer said.

FOX19 NOW has not been able to verify with police if there was any wrongdoing or if someone will be held responsible.

Update: Kevin Lee Sullivan has been charged with Felony Animal Cruelty, accused of spraying this friendly cat with lighter fluid and then setting it on fire, watching it burn to death.

 

 

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(FOX19 - Sept 19, 2017)

Texas: Zavier Humphrey, 18, accused of breaking into a home and torturing the owner's pit bull, dumping bleach, lighter fluid and other chemicals on her, blinding her

TEXAS -- When four men busted into a Mesquite home this week, the family’s dog was barking from inside her crate.

When she wouldn’t stop barking at the intruders, the burglars did the unthinkable.

She was locked inside her crate and couldn't get away
while they threw bleach, lighter fluid and cleaning
products into her face, blinding her

“We believe the suspects became angry with the dog, dumped bleach on the dog, and dumped on other household items around the house,” said Mesquite Police Department spokesman Lt. Brian Parrish.

According to a GoFundMe page set up to cover Laila’s vet bills, the chemicals caused ulcers on her dog's, leaving her nearly blind.

The family did not want to speak on camera out of fear of retaliation. However, a post seeking the public’s help to find the burglars was shared more than 17 times on Facebook.

Two days later, thanks to a crime stoppers tip, Mesquite police arrested two of the suspects connected with the case, police said.

Eighteen-year-olds, Zavier Humphrey and Jacob Hernandez, of Dallas, have both been charged with burglary. Humphrey has also been charged with animal cruelty. Police are still looking for two more people.

“In my career, I haven’t seen something like this that’s seemed this mean,” Parrish said.

The burglars also ransacked the home, throwing food around the kitchen, and stole electronics, according to police. The investigation continues.

The good news is that their GoFundMe reached - and surpassed - its goal within 24 hours.

GoFundMe: Laila's medical bill
$2,470 of $1,000 goal
Raised by 85 people in 23 hours
Erika Ortiz Parra  MESQUITE, TX
On May 3rd our house was burglarized by a group of young men who destroyed our home and stole most of our belongings.

The thieves poured bleach, lighter fluid and other cleaning chemicals on our family dogs' eyes and entire body. 

We took them to the vet our chihuahua was fine but our pit bull suffered the most damage in her eyes. The chemicals caused cornea ulcers that cover 80% of her eyes. 

They're doing everything possible to save the little sight she has left. We have to continue her medical care so they can save the last 20% vision she has.

We don't care for our material belongings we just want our pets to get better. We are only asking for  some of her  future medical bills and medicine. Thank you in advance and anything will help.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO ENJOY TORTURING ANIMALS
According to pet-abuse.com, animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes than non-abusers and violent childhood and adolescent offenders against animals are likely to repeat the criminal behavior as they become adults. Studies have shown that most serial killers tortured animals as children/teens.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Zavier Humphrey
City: Dallas, Texas
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Birthdate: 06/15/1998
Arrest Age: 18
Arrest Date: 05/06/2017
Arrest Time: 4:30 AM
Arrest location: Dallas County, Texas
Total Bond: $6000
Charges
#1 BURGLARY OF HABITATION. BOND: $2500
#2 BURGLARY OF HABITATION. BOND: $2500
#3 Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals: Fail to prov. BOND: $1000

 

(WFAA - May 5, 2017)

Ohio: Dog recovering after being doused with lighter fluid, set on fire in Richland County

OHIO -- A dog who was doused with lighter fluid, set on fire and left to die is on the road to recovery.

The Miami Valley Pit Crew picked up the dog Saturday in the Mansfield area.

 

When she was taken in, the dog—which the rescue team named Hayden, meaning "little fire" in Gaelic—had severe injuries to her eyes and ears.

Veterinarians sedated Hayden to shield her from pain and she went into surgery Sunday.

Now the veterinarians are saying her hair will likely grow back, since she luckily only sustained 2nd-degree burns.

She also lost the tip of one ear but her eyes are expected to heal.

The good news is, Hayden has been hungry and vocal, according to the shelter.

Anyone who wants to help with vet expenses can donate here.

(Newsnet5 - Feb 24, 2016)

Texas: Odessa Woman, Sara Losoya, Arrested in Connection to Animal Cruelty Case

TEXAS -- Odessa Police made an arrest connected to an animal cruelty case, where a puppy was found doused in lighter fluid with burns to her ears.

Sara Losoya faces a False Report to a Police Officer, a Class B misdemeanor charge.

On February 1, officers found the injured dog in the 4700 block of Golder. The next day, reports show Losoya told Odessa Animal Control she found the puppy at that location and put it in her backyard to keep it.

Through the investigation, Officers determined Losoya lied about where she found the puppy and actually discovered the dog near her home in the 900 block of Edgeport. Losoya also admitted to OPD she put the puppy in her back yard and her other dogs nipped at it.

 

Detectives then obtained a false report warrant for Losoya.

At this time, it's unknown how the puppy was injured.

(Texas Homepage - Feb 11, 2016)

Texas: Despite all efforts, puppy doused in lighter fluid dies

TEXAS -- The tiny puppy, who was just under four months old, and had no name and no place to call home, died after she was taken to the Odessa Animal Shelter Saturday, Jan. 30, after a suspected case of animal cruelty.

NewsWest 9 was notified of the update as the owners were trying to take responsibility of the puppy saying it was an accident.

Officials said she was doused in lighter fluid and left to die.

The strong smell coming from the dog proved that she had been covered in some type of chemical. Her ears were burned and she seemed to have several tiny puncture wounds all over her body.

The Odessa Animal Shelter immediately released the puppy to a rescue, the dog was then taken to the Mesa Verde Animal Clinic in Midland for care. The dog was doing better but workers with Mesa Verde said she is high risk at the time.

An animal activist group called "Speaking Up For Those Who Can't" were the current caretakers of the dog and are took over of all veterinary expenses. The group posted a video of the pup in better condition. The video got over 3,800 shares and 2,700 comments on Facebook wishing the best for the dog. Many people commented on Facebook in disgust toward the person who did this.

Animal cruelty is a serious offense and the person responsible could be facing fines up to $10,000 and up to two years of jail time.

(KXXV Waco - Feb 6, 2016)

Earlier:

• Texas: Puppy doused in lighter fluid, left for dead

Texas: Puppy doused in lighter fluid, left for dead

TEXAS -- A tiny puppy, who is just under four months old, has no name and no place to call home.

She was brought to the Odessa Animal Shelter Saturday after a suspected case of animal cruelty. Officials say she was doused in lighter fluid and left to die.

The strong smell coming from the dog proved that she had been covered in some type of chemical. Her ears were burned and she seemed to have several tiny puncture wounds all over her body.

The Odessa Animal Shelter immediately released the puppy to a rescue, the dog was then taken to the Mesa Verde Animal Clinic in Midland for care. The dog is doing better but workers with Mesa Verde say she is high risk at this time.

An animal activist group called "Speaking Up For Those Who Can't" are the current caretakers of the dog and are taking care of all veterinary expenses. The group posted a video of the pup in better condition. The video got over 3,800 shares and 2,700 comments on Facebook wishing the best for the dog. Many people commented on Facebook in disgust toward the person who did this.

Animal cruelty is a serious offense and the person responsible could be facing fines up to $10,000 and up to two years of jail time. A volunteer with "Speaking Up For Those Who Can't" is in the process of filing a police report with the Odessa Police Department.

If you have any information on this case you're urged to contact the Odessa Police Department at 333-TIPS.

(NewsWest9 - Feb 3, 2016)

Toby Gaines, 14, charged with animal cruelty for torturing and burning cats to death

FLORIDA -- A 14-year-old has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty in connection with a series of cat killings in a Springfield neighborhood.

Police said Toby Gaines tortured and killed a family's cat by dousing it in lighter fluid and setting it on fire on Aug. 11 near the family's home on West 9th Street.

 

According to the arrest report released by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Toby was a suspect in a burglary recently and when officers found him, he had two cats in his possession, both with severe injuries to their back legs.

When police started questioning Toby about last month's Springfield case, officers said he admitted to killing the cat, which was named Camus.

According to the report, Toby said he didn't have a comfortable home environment and got mad when his mother wouldn't let him play with his Xbox. Police said the teen admitted to getting into fights and sometimes hurting animals to relieve his anger.

RIP Camus

 

Lighter fluid used to kill Camus

According to the report, when officers asked Toby if he had ever killed a cat, he replied: "Killing a cat is like killing a sheet of paper. It is nothing to kill a cat."

In a written statement, Camus' owners said they were very relieved about the arrest.

“We sincerely hope that he gets the mental health counseling that he obviously needs,” the family statement read.

The family had created a reward fund to help try to catch Camus' killer. The statement said that fund will now be donated to the Springfield Animal Care and Rescue Club.

(News4Jax - Sept 30, 2014)