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Ohio man accused of setting puppy on fire arrested

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio police have arrested a man who allegedly set a puppy on fire last weekend.

Firefighters responded to a small fire in Columbus, Ohio Oct. 11 and found a burning plastic dog crate.


After the fire was put out, the firefighters noticed a puppy running around the area. The puppy had suffered burns to her face and paws and had black melted plastic on her back and top of her head. Firefighters took the puppy to an animal hospital.

After asking the public for help, investigators got a tip that the puppy was last seen in the custody of Ra’shae Syrtaj Jermaine Johnson. Johnson was picked up for questioning and eventually confessed to setting fire to a crate while the dog was locked inside.

Johnson is being charged with “Provisions Concerning Companion Animals,” a 5th degree felony.

The puppy was adopted by an employee of the hospital and is recovering well.

NewsNation affiliate WCMH contributed to this report.