top of page

ALL POSTS

Search

REWARD offered in a case of a young dog intentionally set on fire

Updated: Jul 5, 2024

⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains pictures some of you may find distressing⚠️


- Tennessee, USA -


~ Update: July 5, 2024

 

On June 18, 2024, the individual responsible for intentionally setting Riona on fire, 45-years-old QUISHON BROWN (pictured), entered the guilty plea to one count of aggravated cruelty to animals and was sentenced to ONLY one year in the Shelby County prison.

 

BROWN was arrested on July 12, 2022, after investigators said video surveillance showed him in his backyard on Berkshire Avenue only thirty-six seconds before Riona escaped and ran down Hood Street. BROWN was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, arson to wit set fire to personal property, and simple assault.

 

According to WREG, the day before BROWN was arrested, “…officers were told that the man responsible for burning the dog told another person he was going to burn down the house of whoever gave the video to police and the news.”

 

Court records show that a few days after his release, BROWN violated his bail conditions when he was found on video with a new puppy so he was re-arrested but authorities did not find the puppy.

 

In a recent Facebook post published by Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, the amazing organization recounted the devastating facts.

 

Part of the post read:

“During that time Riona went through numerous surgeries to repair her little body.

60% of her body received in 4th degree burns.

It was so horrific that one of her ears literally burnt off and fell into [the] bandages one day during a bandage change.

She went through 4 to 5 fully sedated bandage changes per day for several weeks.

She had several surgeries to close up wounds.

She had skin expanders placed in her to help harvest skin that she would need for skin [grafts]. Then she went through those surgeries.

She was provided 24/7 medical care for months.

After one year and just over $92,000.00 worth of medical ( and yes there was a discount) she was adopted by the best family she could have ever dreamt of.”

 

On a separate note, FOX 13 reports that BROWN is also accused of raping a child in December 2020. He was indicted in the case in February 2024, and is set to appear in court again July 26, 2024.


 

~ Original story:


The Memphis-based nonprofit Tails of Hope Dog Rescue is facing an extreme case that goes beyond cruel.


On the evening of Monday, June 20, a dog screaming in pain and running down the street while on fire, caught the attention of residents of the Nutbush community, near Chelsea and Graham in Memphis, who then ran out into the streets.

The horrific act was caught on camera. Part of the footage exclusively published by FOX 13, showed many people running out of their homes all in the same direction. One resident can be seen with a water hose and another neighbor, Ms. Ashlie Craft, came out with a bucket and filled it with water from her pool trying to put out the flames.

A fast-acting Good Samaritan jumped in and put out the flames to rescue the young pup believed to be 1 year old.


The Memphis Police Department was immediately called to the scene, and the furbaby was taken to Bluff City Veterinary Specialists.


Kylie Hunter, a Vet Technician at Bluff City Veterinary Specialists, told FOX 13: “Somebody set this dog on fire. Someone purposely set this dog on fire.”


The dog, now named Riona, was fully examined and Tails of Hope Dog rescue said she was “doused with diesel fuel ( high odor still on her ) and burnt. Lots of raw burnt skin and singed fur.” Riona suffered fourth degree burns to her face and left side, and first to second-degree burns on other parts of her body. Tails of Hope Dog Rescue also said that Riona has “a cut around her neck from a tie up cord.”


The nonprofit said in a Facebook post: “Someone knows who did this. She has old scars from previous injuries, meaning she has been a victim of abuse for a while.”


Memphis Police are investigating this act of absolute evil. Whoever did this to a defenseless breathing being unable to dial for help is not just cruel. The individual is soulless, heartless, and most of all a filthy coward!


A reward of $5,500 is being offered in exchange for information leading to a criminal conviction of the monster who did this to Riona.

If you have ANY information, I beg you, come forward and submit your tips to Memphis Police. Thank you!


If you wish and can afford to help out Tails of Hope Dog Rescue with Riona’s medical bills, these are the ways to do it:

Venmo @tailsofhopedogrescue

By Mail: Po Box 30245 Memphis TN 38118

Thank you!


# # #


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.



BROWN’s mugshot shared from the Shelby County Jail


Pictures shared from Tails of Hope Dog Rescue.





 
 
 

JAMES LYNN TAYLOR sentenced to 1 year in jail for setting 2 dogs on fire to stop them from fighting

- Texas, USA -



~ June 7, 2022


The Bowie County Sheriff's Office kindly sent me pictures of TAYLOR's furbaby.




~ Original story:


On Monday, June 6, 27-years-old JAMES LYNN TAYLOR (pictured) appeared in Bowie County District Court before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell for sentencing.

TAYLOR entered a guilty plea to felony animal cruelty in a case that began in 2021.

TAYLOR’s Assistant Public Defender Clayton Haas was also present.


TAYLOR is accused of using fire and rubbing alcohol on his female dog and on the one she was fighting with to stop the fight.


Judge Tidwell sentenced TAYLOR to one year in jail which he must serve “day for day” because as reported by Texarkana Gazette, Judge Tidwell “doesn't believe probation is appropriate in a felony case involving the mistreatment of animals.”

Judge Tidwell told TAYLOR: “I want you punished and I want you punished where you can think about your actions.”

Judge Tidwell further said: “For one year you're going to sit in jail” and explained: “One, I want you to reflect on it, and two, I want people to know that if you harm an animal in this community, you're going to serve time, not probation.”


It all started on September 16, 2021, when the Bowie County Sheriff's Office was called in reference to a shoplifting report at Spring Market in Redwater.

TAYLOR and his young brother were at the store and video surveillance showed one of them stuffing several Cayman Jack alcoholic drinks into his pants.


According to the incident report obtained by Voice For Us, while deputies were speaking to TAYLOR about the incident, a gray female Pitbull walked up and TAYLOR told them she was his dog.


The affidavit stated the furbaby had an open injury to her right side near her back hips and the belly area also looked injured. One of the deputies asked TAYLOR what happened to the dog and he said that she was fighting with other dogs, so he “poured alcohol on them and set them on fire to get them apart.”

According to the affidavit, the deputy once again asked TAYLOR what happened and TAYLOR said his dog “was bit down on other dog and he could not get them to separate so he poured rubbing alcohol around the dogs and set it on fire to get them to separate.”

The deputy asked TAYLOR when this happened and he said two days ago.

The deputy also asked TAYLOR whether he took the dog to the vet but he said he was going to treat her with hydrogen peroxide later that day.


According to the deputies, the injuries appeared to be at least a day old with scabs starting to appear over the wound on the other side and to her breasts.


Redwater City Animal Control responded to the scene and took the VOICELESS VICTIM to the vet for evaluation.

Deputies asked TAYLOR what the dog’s name was and he said she did not have one even though he had for over a year.


Online records show TAYLOR was arrested for one count of cruelty to non-livestock animal, a 3rd degree Felony, and booked into the Bowie County Jail on a $35,000 bond.


I have emailed Bowie County Sheriff Jeff Neal and District Attorney Jerry Rochelle and inquired about the wellbeing of all the dogs involved in this case.


Sheriff Neal tells me that all the information is aware of is in the incident report.

I have asked him to email me pictures of the dogs and if he sends them to me, I will add them to the article.

Hopefully, DA Rochelle will respond too, but, in the meantime, I will also email Animal Control.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




Additional Sources:




 
 
 

LUKE PROFFIT sentenced to only 18 months behind bars for savagely stabbing his dog 12 times

- Sunderland, United Kingdom -


On May 30, 22-years-old LUKE PROFFIT (pictured) appeared in Newcastle Crown Court and after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, he was sentenced to only 18 months behind bars and banned from owning animals for 18 years.


On December 16, 2021, PROFFIT stabbed his German Shepherd named Bella, 12 times and left her to die on Hendon Beach in Sunderland.

Members of the public found the furbaby laying on the beach with severe injuries to her body and neck.

Sadly, despite efforts to save her, Bella passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest.


In a news release, Northumbria Police said that upon arrest, PROFFIT told officers: “It’s not illegal to kill your dog.”


Wildlife Enforcement Officer PC Peter Baker, with Northumbria Police welcomed the sentence handed down to PROFFIT and had the nerve to say: “We are a nation of animal lovers, and it is always disappointing and upsetting when crimes like this happen. I hope this case sends out a strong message – anyone who hurts or abuses animals will be brought to justice.”


Every time I hear the expression “We are a nation of animal lovers” my blood boils!!!

I feel that it’s offensive toward all the innocent animals who are tortured, abused, and killed in the UK and do NOT receive any justice!!!


Judging by the ridiculous, scandalous, and outrageous sentences I see that are handed down in animal cruelty cases, I’d say the UK has a lot to learn from the U.S. judicial system!!!


Some of you may remember that with effect of June 29, 2021, the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty was raised from six months to five years with the new Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.


PROFFIT is one of the first offenders to be jailed since the new law and yet, the sentence handed down in this case is as ridiculous and offensive as it is the expression: “We are a nation of animal lovers.”


A press release by GOV.UK stated at the time: “The more stringent sentences will be some of the toughest in Europe. The Act will help ensure courts are able to enforce extended penalties for those who cruelly mistreat any animal, sending a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.”


Yeah, I can see the message ….


I have emailed Northumbria Police Chief Constable Keenen and requested a picture of Bella and inquired about her age.

If I get a response, I will add the information to this article.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



Additional Source:






 
 
 

Subscribe Form

© 2025 Voice For Us

Privacy Policy

FAQ

bottom of page