Fire officials: Dale City man sets dead dog on fire, ignites house

Insidenova ^ | July 13, 2011 | Kari Pugh

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A Dale City man whose Rottweiler died last week tried to dispose of the dog's remains Wednesday morning by setting them on fire, authorities said.

In the process, he set his house on fire.

Firefighters were called to the 4500 block of Kingston Road in the Kerrydale section of Dale City at 9:10 a.m., where they found smoke billowing from the front of the two-story, single-family home, said Prince William fire and rescue Battalion Chief Joe Robertson.

At the back of the house, firefighters found flames extending from the exterior to the attic, he said.

The Fire Marshal's Office discovered that the resident living at the house had tried to dispose of his large Rottweiler, who died last week, by putting wood next to the dog's body and using gasoline to intensify the fire, Robertson said.

Gas pooled near the house, spreading the flames to the home, Robertson said.

The fire caused at least $70,000 damage to the house. There were no injuries.

Robertson said the Rottweiler was about 11 years old. Robertson did not know how the dog died and it was unclear why the owner tried to dispose of the dog by setting it on fire.

It is against the law in Prince Willliam County to burn without a permit.

No charges had been filed Wednesday evening. The investigation continues.

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Another source ssys, "Harris said that several animal shelters told him the dog had to be brought to them for disposal but the dog was too big for him to lift."

[basil]

I’m happy that no one was hurt-—but how is he going to explain this to his insurance company?

[Raycpa]

We recently had to put our dog down. The area crematories all had a pick up service. This guy was probably trying to save the cost.

[RegulatorCountry]

Whatever happened to burying a beloved old pet in your backyard? I’ve got two in mine, with markers.

[death2tyrants]

A pick up service probably wouldn’t accept a carcass that’s been rotting for over a week in the middle of the summer. He probably should have acted sooner.

[csvset]

My backyard is the resting place for our passed on pooches as well. We have little dogs though. You’d need a good sized pit for a Rottweiler. I’m suspecting the owner didn’t have the strength to dig the pit.

[gundog]

Find a neighbor kid. I've dug a couple of graves four plus feet deep and big enough to accomodate large dogs and their coffins.