Man Admits Setting Dog On Fire

Article from Dog World Newspaper...

Man admits to setting dog on fire

Created: 09/07/2014


A MAN has admitted tying his friend’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross to a tree before dousing it in petrol and burning it to death.

Alastair Graham snapped when the dog, Bruno, whom he was looking after for a friend, bit his finger. He tied him to a tree in some woods in Kirkcaldy, Fife and initially attempted to slit Bruno’s throat. When he failed, he went to a petrol station and filled a jerry can before pouring it over the dog and setting him alight.

Sheriff James Williamson told Graham the attack, which took place in April, was a ‘grotesque act of savagery’.

Fiscal depute Susan Dickson told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court that a post-mortem examination on Bruno revealed he had still been alive when Graham set him alight.

"Footage from the BP petrol station showed the accused filling up a container with petrol on the day in question – a similar container was found melted beside the dog,” she said. "A post mortem was carried out which revealed the burning was concentrated over the neck, head and thorax areas with the right side badly burnt to full thickness.

"There was a thick black deposit round the neck consistent with the harness – the metal parts were burnt onto the neck. There was inhalation of smoke in the dog’s airways which indicates it was alive when it was set on fire.

"There was also a deep sharp puncture would and another sharp wound, neither of which were life-threatening but would have caused pain.”

Larry Flynn, mitigating for Graham, said: "He has a vague recollection of doing this but was abusing alcohol at the time. His recollection is that he attempted to kill the dog with a knife but he failed and he went to get the petrol then returned.”

Graham, 23, a prisoner at HMP Perth, pleaded guilty on indictment to causing Bruno unnecessary suffering. He also admitted an attempted knife robbery, with Steven Gourdie, on May 2 in Leven.

Sheriff James Williamson deferred sentence on Graham and Gourdie until next month so social work reports and a risk assessment could be carried out.
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I feel sick - that poor, poor dog, I hope he didn't suffer long.

However, I hope that Alastair Graham suffers the eternal fires of damnation.

LyndaW wrote:
However, I hope that Alastair Graham suffers the eternal fires of damnation.

That's my hope as well!

Surprise, surprise - hiding behind the excuse of alcohol. If you're a violent drinker, don't drink. Simple as that. Disgusting man.

Yes, and if you're an alcoholic who can't stop, then don't look after other peoples' dogs!  

The alcoholic thing was just a pathetic attempt at mitigating his responsibility and hoping for a lesser sentence and doesn't wash with me. He knew exactly what he was doing and how to go about it - he's sadistic thug. I hope the dog-loving crims in jail give him hell on earth.

I am sickened to my core!  
The poor owner that trusted him to care for their little friend. How I feel for that person.   

Ohhh, R.I.P Bruno. There are many puppies to run with now. Go frolic in the field baby...  

As for Alistair..... he obviously wasn't drunk enough to be able to go & purchase petrol. He knew what he was doing! 
May God NOT have mercy! 23 yrs of age! I know what I'd do to him!      

I hope you rot in hell. You are lower than a snakes ass!

Exactly lynda!

Lynda & Tracy, I wholeheartedly agree with you both.

Oh Bruno you poor, poor baby.

It was just reported on the news that he got 4 years for it. Hopefully he will be alongside some dog lovers.

Here's cheers to that Caroline. But not long enough for me. 
A life is a life. (Some animals lives produce more worth than some human lives.) Be you human, equine,  canine, bovine,  feline...


Dog lovers in jail wont love him so much & I am sorry to say, but I have no sympathy.


(Sorry to the human righter's but.... animals have rights too. sometimes you should loose your rights after what you've done!)


This really annoys me as a dog is as nieve as a child! Trusting, loving, expecting you will look out for them...Would you only get 4 yrs for burning a child?   


This man is a flea in the armpit of a camel!

I agree with everything you just said, Tracy!