Precious the Pit Bull's Owner Charged With Arson

LANDOVER HILLS, MD — The owner of Precious, the pit bull that stood guard over her owner at a house fire in a photo that went viral, has been charged with arson for allegedly setting a fire at the residence a day earlier.

The devoted pit bull who didn’t want to leave her injured owner, April Newell, inside a burning Landover Hills house drew national attention when she was forced to find a new home. Prince George’s County has a law prohibiting pit bulls from living in the county.

Newell’s sister, who lives in Montgomery County, adopted Precious and took her home last month, WTOP reports.

Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George’s County Fire Department, said Monday that Newell has been charged with multiple crimes after an investigation of the fire at her residence in the 4800 block of 66th Place in Landover Hills. A man suffered minor burn injuries during the fire; he was treated and released from an area burn unit.

Investigators reportedly discovered evidence of an unreported fire that occurred the day before on Dec. 1 at the same address. The earlier fire was determined to be arson, says the Prince George’s County fire marshal.

Newell, 34, was identified as a suspect; she was arrested Dec. 31. Brady says she is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Arrest warrants charge Newell with:

• Arson – 1st Degree - A felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
• Arson – 2nd Degree – A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and fines of $30,000.
• Arson Threat - A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.
• Malicious Burning – 1st Degree - Damage value at more than $1,000, this offense carries a potential 5-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine.
• Malicious Burning – 2nd Degree - Damage value at less than $1,000, a misdemeanor offense. If convicted, penalties are up to 18 months in jail and $500 in fines.

Fire officials say the Dec. 2 fire at the same house remains under investigation.

During the debate over the county’s pit bull ban, Brady said firefighters aimed a powder fire extinguisher at the pooch, allowing firefighters to take Newell out of the house.

Brady said later that the dog had acted aggressively as rescuers approached, and lunged at paramedics.

“We would not have taken any actions to move the dog if it had not lunged at paramedics when they first approached,” Brady said.

»Photo of dog at Landover Hills fire scene courtesy of Billy Neel, Prince George’s County Citizen Services Unit; photo of April Newell courtesy of PGCFD