Rocky Mount Authorities Look For Suspects Who Set Dog On Fire

Cagney is only 5 months old, but she has already lived through a lot. Someone poured gas on her a couple of days ago and set her fur on fire.

"You have to be barbaric to do anything like that. You really do," said Katina Richardson, Cagney's owner.

Richardson said she heard the puppy yelping outside Monday and saw some boys running away, but did not realize what had happened.

"My neighbor came around and knocked on the door and told me that my dog was on fire," she said. "I went and got my car and went around the corner to see what was going on and I didn't find him until last night."

Rocky Mount police said they have a good idea who they are looking for. However, they cannot release that information because all three suspects are younger than 16. Authorities said the case could result in felony animal cruelty charges.

Dr. Bryan Rodgers, Cagney's veterinarian, said the burns at this point are not life-threatening.

"I think she's doing real well. She seems to be dealing pretty well with the stress of the situation. She's not real skittish, maybe a little timid just from being set on fire," he said.

Richardson hopes the kids will face justice for their cruelty.

"Why would you set someone's dog on fire? It's pathetic. It really is," she said.

Rodgers said Cagney was smart enough to do something everyone is told to do in a fire. Apparently, she rolled over to put it out.