BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (AP) -- A man charged with cruelty after his dog was tied to a tree and set on fire was ordered held Tuesday on $50,000 bail following his arraignment.
1010 WINS AUDIO: Mona Rivera Reports
The dog, a pit bull called Maximus by his rescuers, died last week after three surgeries. Authorities said he smelled of gasoline when he was found, severely injured, on July 12.
"He was a good dog up until the very end ... giving licks and kisses,'' Reed Zaroff, one of the Long Island veterinarians who tried to save him, told Newsday.
Derick Phanord, 22, of Brentwood, was arrested Monday night on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, Suffolk County police said. Phanord also was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for possessing a bludgeon, police said.
Police said Phanord confessed to dousing the dog with clorox, then gasoline, before tying it to a tree and setting it on fire because the dog was "unfriendly."
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Tuesday at First District Court. His next court date is Friday.
Phanord's attorney did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
More Long Island news...
E-Mail Story
Print Story
