Man Awaiting Charges For Setting Dog On Fire

RIVER ROUGE (CBS Detroit) A River Rouge man is in custody for torturing and killing a dog by setting the pet on fire.

Detective Sgt. Dasemo Mitchell said the suspect hasn't been charged, they're waiting for approval on a warrant from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.

"We see animal cruelty charges as being one of them," Mitchell said.

Neighbors came over and tried to put the fire out when they saw the small family Shi-Tzu named Brandy engulfed in flames in the backyard at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, but it was too late. Brandy, the 1-year-old Shi-Tzu was dead.

A family member of the suspect told local TV stations the suspect was off his mental health medication. He used an accelerant to set the dog on fire.

"That hasn't been confirmed on our end," Mitchell said.

Right now the suspect is in custody, awaiting charges.