Man sentenced 7 months for lighting puppy on fire

WASHINGTON - A man was sentenced to seven months in jail for setting a puppy on fire, the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League said.

Animal rescue officials said after a 9-month-old Yorkshire terrier named Andy was found by a D.C. resident limping around in his neighborhood back in September 2014. The dog had major burns on its abdomen, chest, ears, legs and tail.

After the resident returned the puppy to his owner, she contacted D.C. police about the injured pet.

"This is one of the most severely injured animals I have witnessed in my career, due to blatant cruelty," Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Officer Nick Lippincott said at the time.

Andy would later die from his injuries.

During their investigation, D.C. police arrested Brian Davis, the brother of dog's owner and charged him with felony cruelty to animals. Almost two years later, Davis will now have to serve jail time, which is rare, according to WHS/WARL.

"The charges were initially 'destruction of property' and 'arson' but the U.S. Attorney's Office was able to amend them to felony cruelty to animals midway through the case," said Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Officer Dan D'Eramo. "Without the relationship we have with MPD, Davis probably wouldn't have served any time."