A Queens man who set a dog on fire told police he first fatally kicked the helpless hound before setting it ablaze, the Daily News learned Wednesday.
Isaiah K. Gurley, 29, was spotted by an eagle-eyed woman at a Foot Locker inside Queens Center Mall when he was arrested Tuesday. Gurley told cops he was looking after a pitbull for someone else, claiming to have killed the dog by repeatedly kicking it — and burning its body after it was already dead, according to court documents.
“Animals are not punching bags. They are not toys. They have every right to proper care, just as humans do,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said. “The allegations in this case are heart wrenching as the defendant is accused of killing the dog before dragging the lifeless body and setting it on fire. We will use all tools available to hold the defendant responsible for his alleged actions.”
Gurley was caught on surveillance video obtained by police that shows him dragging a motionless animal down the block around 4:45 a.m. on July 24 before taking it to a street corner at 128th St. and 116th Ave. in South Ozone Park.
Wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt with a POLO logo across the chest, Gurley is then seen dragging the animal into the street, pouring a flammable liquid on it, and setting the animal on fire before running off, cops said.
Neighbors and first responders found the torched dog at the corner a short time later. The ASPCA and the NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Squad were investigating.
Five minutes prior to the fire, Gurley went into First Class Deli & Grill on 127th St. and Rockaway Blvd., where he took a bottle of oil and left the store without paying, according to court documents.
It was unclear who was the pitbull’s owner.
Gurley was charged with with reckless endangerment, aggravated cruelty to animals, arson, torture and injuring an animal. He was released following a Tuesday night arraignment at Queens Criminal Court and is due back in court in September. Gurley could face up to two years in prison if convicted.
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