Companion Animals Cases

Chihuahua Puppy Trapped in Crate and Set on Fire

California v. Willie Bee Turner

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offered a $5,000 reward that helped lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible setting a puppy on fire and leaving her to die.

Companion Animals

Updated

May 16, 2016

Work Type

Criminal Justice

Status

Victory

Next Step

Case Closed

On January 22, 2015, a puppy was found burned to death, locked inside of a crate, on the sidewalk in Sacramento, California. The Animal Legal Defense Fund offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who committed this shocking act of cruelty.

The reward helped lead to the arrest of Willie Bee Turner. Turner had been visiting a friend in Sacramento with his puppy Angel Star. Turner told his friend that he no longer wanted Angel Star, because she had worms. He was witnessed being physically violent with the puppy prior to her death.

In 2016, Turner was found guilty of malicious killing of an animal, animal abuse, and two counts of arson. Turner was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, and prohibited from owning an animal for 10 years.

Resources

Location:

California

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