Wayne County Teen Charged With Animal Cruelty

Officers at the Wayne County Animal Control Department said they received an anonymous complaint on March 18 regarding the incident.

“The caller stated the dog had been intentionally burned the night before,” Justin Scally, Wayne County’s Animal Control director, said in a news release.

“What we discovered was that a 14-year-old male subject placed the family’s 1-year old Jack Russell terrier into a baby stroller,” Scally said. “The young man then pushed the stroller into the back yard and up a ramp-like structure.”

The structure was in an area being used to burn trash and debris in the back yard. The dog ended up out of the stroller and in the fire, officials said.

The teen, whose name was not released, later threatened the family after a verbal argument, authorities said. He allegedly told the family he would “squirt lighter fluid on the dog and set it on fire,” according to statements obtained by investigators.

The teen was charged with felony animal cruelty, according to Scally. The dog received minor burns and has recovered.

“These types of intentional abuse will not be tolerated” Scally said. “It is important to provide the help necessary to animals, but we also want to get help for the accused teenager, if convicted.”

A secure custody order was issued for the teen.