Eleven-year-old arrested for attempting to set dog on fire

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Thursday police arrested an 11-year-old Clearlake boy who is alleged to have tried to set fire to his dog.



Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph said the dog involved, a teacup Chihuahua, did not appear to be seriously injured.



Just before noon on Thursday School Resource Officer Bobi Thompson, who Joseph said is primarily assigned to the Konocti Unified School District, was notified of a possible animal abuse case.



A staff member from a local school reported to Thompson that an 11-year-old student had a small burn mark on his hand, Joseph said. When staff asked the child how the injury occurred, the child admitted to burning himself while trying to light his dog on fire the previous day.



When the school obtained this information, Thompson was notified, Joseph said.



Thompson met with the child at the school. Joseph said the child had a small red burned area on one of his hands. The burn was superficial and did not require medical attention.



The child admitted to Thompson that on Wednesday one of his dogs had urinated and defecated on the floor of the home he shares with his parents, Joseph said.



Joseph said the child, wanting to punish the dog, waited for his parents to leave the house.



After the child was left alone in the home, he located some matches and a bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Joseph said the child poured some of the rubbing alcohol onto the dog's back and lit a match. The rubbing alcohol caught on fire, partially burning some of the dog’s hair as well as the child’s hand.



Thompson and Clearlake Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller responded to the child’s residence, located in the 16000 block of 20th Avenue, where Joseph said the crime was committed.



At the home Thompson and Tuller located three dogs – a young female teacup Chihuahua, a young male teacup Chihuahua and a male dachshund, according to Joseph.



Joseph said the young female teacup Chihuahua did have some burned hair along her back but did not need immediate veterinary care. The other two dogs appeared uninjured.



Tuller seized the three dogs from the home for safekeeping and further proceedings, Joseph said.



Thompson arrested the juvenile on a felony charge of animal cruelty and booked him into Lake County Juvenile Hall, Joseph said.



Joseph said the child’s parents are fully cooperating with the investigation.



The case, Joseph said, will be submitted to the Lake County Juvenile Probation Department for review of charges.



Joseph said the Clearlake Police Department and Clearlake Animal Control take cases of animal abuse seriously. Violators will be prosecuted.



Anyone wishing to report suspected animal abuse is asked to contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at 707-994-8251, Extension 115.