Dog Set On Fire In Arizona Dies After Going Into Cardiac Arrest

TUCSON, AZ — Lovely, the small black dog set on fire in Tucson earlier this month, died Sunday, despite veterinarians’ best efforts to save her, the Pima Animal Care Center said on Facebook. The was doused with gasoline and ignited on May 7, according to Tucson police.

“Our hearts are breaking,” the shelter wrote, noting that the small Chihuahua mix went into cardiac arrest. Lovely had been receiving around-the-clock care for the life-threatening injuries.

“We are only comforted by the fact that she died knowing she was loved, not just by all of us but by the thousands of people who sent in donations, messages of love and support and who were rooting for our sweet girl,” the post continued. “There are no words to describe how we all feel today or how humbled and grateful we are to our community who showed an unbelievable amount of love and care for this little dog.”

Dean Sherfield Finley, 36, has been charged with felony animal cruelty, arson and criminal damage charges. Tucson police said she purchased two gallons of gasoline on the morning of May 7, then used it as an accelerant to set the dog on fire. A family member quickly put the fire out and Finley then set fire to the southeast corner of the house on the 6900 block of E. Vernice Street, police said.

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On Facebook, people reacted with sorrow for Lovely and the medical staff who cared for the dog, called for increased awareness about the problem of animal abuse and said Finely should be harshly punished if she is convicted.

“Our hearts are broken,” wrote John Clark. “This should not happen to any companion. I pray that there is justice for her, and a significant awakening to the problem of animal abuse in this city, state and country.”

Lovely’s death occurred on National Dog Rescue Day. “Please go out and adopt a dog and give it all the love in the world,” wrote Geralyn Lacetola McGrath, who encouraged people to adopt dogs in Lovely’s honor.

Donna Vining decried some of the caustic comments directed at Finley.

“Harvest some of that anger and try to do something constructive to protect the pets we love and support their owners,” Vining wrote. “Our hearts are broken that Lovely could not be healed. Let’s try to find a solution to the problem together.”

Photo via Tucson Police Department