BEN BRASCH

BBRASCH@NEWS-PRESS.COM

The man suspected of lighting someone's rabbit on fire was arrested Thursday afternoon in Charlotte County less than 24 hours after a public appeal for help to find the man.

Manasseh Walker, 22 of Englewood, was arrested in the 300 block of East Grace Street in Punta Gorda on a Sarasota County warrant. He remains in Charlotte County Jail.

According to witnesses, Walker claimed June 12 that he had been bitten by Thumper, and, a few moments later, was seen chasing the animal while it was on fire in the 12000 block of Loranza Avenue.

Thumper the rabbit lit on fire, Georgie the dog killed in Sarasota

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office's Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies and the Punta Gorda Police Department aided int he arrest.

Sarasota deputies showed appreciation for those who came forward and used the hashtag that populated throughout social media.

"Thank you to all who helped share Walker’s photo and bring #JusticeForThumper," the agency wrote in a news release.

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