[Purple]

BY JOSEPH MALLIA
joseph.mallia@newsday.com

July 20, 2007, 2:03 PM EDT

A reward has increased to $20,000 for information leading to whoever killed a pit bull, Maximus, by tying it to a tree and setting it on fire in Brentwood, the Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

The dog smelled of gasoline when found July 12 with second- and third- degree burns over 60 percent of its body, severe third-degree burns on the face and ears, and wounds to its upper palate including the loss of canine and incisor teeth, the SPCA said.

Maximus died Tuesday despite undergoing three surgeries to remove damaged tissue and other veterinary care including pain medication, sterile dressings and antibiotics to help fight infections.

The dog also had puncture wounds of his neck and veterinarians treating him detected an odor of gasoline on his hair, the animal welfare group said.

The 2-year-old, approximately 55 pound male dog was discovered on a right-of-way near Sycamore and Apple streets.

SPCA Chief Roy Gross said that there has been an overwhelming response of calls from people who are "disgusted" that a human would treat an animal this way.

"Seasoned SPCA officers and veterinarians were brought to tears when they visited Maximus and he tried to lick their hands, even though he was in grave condition," Gross said in a statement.

The dog was in good condition and was well fed before it was set afire, and someone is now missing a pet, Gross said.

"Someone out there knows this dog or knows who is responsible for this heinous act and we want that person to come forward," Gross said.

Anyone with information on whoever is responsible for the dog's death is asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-SPCA. All calls will be kept confidential.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/lo...-top-headlines

[Suki]

wow, ...

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July 24, 2007, 1:10 PM EDT

A Brentwood man confessed to soaking his pit bull with gasoline and setting the dog on fire, and said he did so because it was too aggressive toward his family, Suffolk County officials said at a Tuesday news conference.

The dog, named Maximus by the emergency veterinarians who tried to save it, was found tied to a tree burned over 60 percent of its body.

Derick Phanord, 22, of 156 Cocoanut St. in Brentwood, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Monday after the Suffolk police got a tip that he was the dog's killer, police Commissioner Richard Dormer said.

"You wonder what kind of depravity is within one's mind," county Executive Steve Levy said.

When he heard of the dog's agonizing death last week, Levy said, "It actually turned my stomach."

The department put out an alert for Phanord's vehicle and a gang unit officer spotted him, Dormer said.

Phanord was arrested for driving with a suspended license and when detectives interviewed him he admitted first pouring chlorine bleach on the dog, then taking it to woods 1 1/2 miles from his Brentwood house where he poured gasoline on it from a red plastic container and set it on fire, the police said.

There the dog remained, tied to a tree, possibly for two days of suffering before he was found, said Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who also spoke at Levy's news conference in Hauppauge. Levy said he will revamp the way the county police monitor animal abuse.

One detective in each precincts will develop a part-time specialty in investigating animal cruelty, Levy said.

Also, Levy plans to lobby the state Legislature for an amendment to Buster's Law, which now provides a maximum penalty of two years in prison for aggravated cruelty to animals. Levy wants to increase potential penalty to a five-year maximum prison term.

Levy also wants to establish a permanent reward fund aimed at encouraging confidential animal cruelty tips to the Crime Stoppers hotline. And he wants detective squads to work more closely with the SPCA.

Dormer said media coverage of the pit bull's death generated numerous tips that led the police to target Phanord. Once in custody Phanord confirmed that he was the owner of the pit bull, and said he had gotten the dog as a gift two months ago, Dormer said. He justified his actions by saying the dog it acted aggressively toward his family and a younger dog he owned, Dormer said.

County officials on Tuesday had on display the red plastic gasoline container that Phanord allegedly brought with him when he immolated the dog.

Phanord was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip after spending the night in the Third Precinct lockup. He is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a bludgeon -- a billy club -- found when his car was stopped.

The dog, named Maximus by emergency veterinarians, was found July 12 with second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body.

The Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last week said a reward had increased to $20,000 for information leading to whoever killed Maximus.

The dog smelled of gasoline when found with severe burns on the face and ears, wounds to its upper palate and teeth loss, the SPCA said.

Maximus died last Tuesday despite undergoing three surgeries and other veterinary care.

The 2-year-old, approximately 55-pound male dog was discovered on a right-of-way near Sycamore and Apple streets. Gross said that the SPCA got an overwhelming response of calls from people who were "disgusted" that a human would treat an animal this way. The dog was in good condition and was well fed before it was set afire, Gross said.

The dog was good-natured to the end, said Reed Zaroff of the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island, one of the veterinarians who tried to save him. "He was a good dog up until the very end ... giving licks and kisses
and more: (update)

http://www.newsday.<WBR>com/news/<WBR>local/longisland<WBR>/ny-lidog0725,<WBR>0,957883.<WBR>story

[chinasmom]

Oh, that just makes my heart break to think of what that dog went through. He won't get the punishment he deserves though, they never do.

[Purple]

Man charged for burning dog alive


(AXcess News) New York - A Long Island man was charged with cruelty to animals after burning his dog alive.

Brentwood, NY police arrested Derick Phanord, 22, Monday on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. He was also was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for possessing a bludgeon, police said.

According to Suffolk County police, Phanord tied his pitbull dog to a tree and doused him with gasoline before setting the dog on fire.

When rescuers found him and took the dog he was still alive, but severely injured. Long Island veterinarians tried to save the dog, which they called Maximus, but the animal did not live. One veterinarian involved in the rescue effort said Maximus was grateful right up until the end, giving his rescuers licks and kisses.

http://www.axcessnews.com/index.php/.../show/id/11720

[chinasmom]

Thanks for the post Suki.

[Michele]

bastard.......

[Michele]

Here's some pictures: VERY GRAPHIC:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/lo...ny-main-bigpix

[Chiapit]

Originally Posted by Michele Here's some pictures: VERY GRAPHIC: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/lo...ny-main-bigpix

That is the sickest SOB....I would like to tie him to a tree and set him on fire. You know I'm all for putting a HA dog down, but do it in a humane way. This was unjustifiably cruel.

[Michele]

you have no idea how pissed off I am right now.....that bastard.....and there's another dog in that house too. They better take that dog out of there...i think it's another pit bull

[Deputy Dog]

Originally Posted by Michele bastard.......

Ditto that.

[Char]

I'm sure if someone tied his family to a tree and set them on fire he would freak out. I can't stand people like this. They have no right owning animals.Is it that easy to own a pit bull in the states? Here you can't live in an appartment or have kids if you want to adopt from the Toronto Humane Society. I hope this guy gets what he deserves in jail.

Originally Posted by Char . I hope this guy gets what he deserves in jail.

that's exactly what's wrong here though........he won't. if he does it won't be near enough either. this is the kind of scum that need to be dropped in the river with a big rock tied to them

[Char]

Ya but I'm sure someone inside will get him, I don't know how the jails are there but here if you abuse a child, women or animal your going to get when they put you inside.

[demo-dog]

All i can say is that I'm going home and hugging my dogs, just a little tighter tonight.

That poor dog. It just breaks your heart.

[Michele]

Authorities also took the other dog that resided there too. Starved...