Animal control officer pays for burned dog’s treatment

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) – An animal care and control officer paid for a dog’s veterinarian bill after authorities said a 23-year-old man severely burned the animal.

On Sunday, deputies were dispatched to a dog set on fire.

After an investigation, authorities say that a man set the dog on fire after he was in an “altercation” with the dog’s owner, a woman he used to date.

James Franklin Quick, 23, was taken into custody and charged with animal cruelty and burning of personal property, authorities said Monday afternoon.

When deputies arrived on Sunday, they found a female Chihuahua mix named “Cocoa” with scars from being burned.PHOTOS | Images of Cocoa

Lt. Elaine Smith paid around $1,000 for Cocoa’s treatments.

Cocoa is “doing well,” according to a veterinarian treating Cocoa.

Animal Control said Cocoa’s recovery will take time but she is receiving the best care.

Authorities say the attack happened after Quick and Cocoa’s owner, Dominique Daniel Clark, were “involved in an altercation. Quick … started sending Clark aggressive messages on her cell phone. Quick and Clark had been in a relationship in the past but were no longer together,” officials said in a press release.

The dog’s owner, Dominique Daniel Clark, told authorities that before the incident she let Cocoa out to run around the yard. Clark said she later heard Cocoa scratching and crying at the door.

When Clark’s son opened the door, he saw the dog on fire. Clark then used her clothing to put out the fire.

Cocoa was taken to the Animal Urgent Care and was treated for burns to her body and face.

Quick is being held on $40,000 bond secured.