Brandon Pierce, Miss. man, arrested on animal cruelty charges after allegedly setting his dog on fire

(CBS/WJTV) LUCEDALE, Miss.--Authorities said 20-year-old Brandon Pierce of Mississippi was arrested on a charge of animal cruelty after he set his 5-year-old Chihuahua mix, Socks, aflame, reported CBS affiliate WJTV.

The station said that according to George County Sheriff Dean Howell, the dog died from massive burns at a local animal hospital on Tuesday.

Pierce has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty but Howell said that he hopes to upgrade the charge to aggravated animal cruelty on Friday, said WJTV.

At this time, it is not clear whether or not Pierce has a defense lawyer, reported the station.