Man arrested for setting dog on fire in Richmond park, killing him

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Police arrested a man accused of killing "Tommie" -- a dog set on fire in a Richmond park.

Jyahshua A. Hill, 20, of St. Peter Street, was arrested Monday by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and charged with felony animal cruelty.

Tommie was found tied to an Abner Clay Park fence and set on fire the night of February 10, 2019. Firefighters found Tommie with severe burns to his body. He had been tied to a chain-link fence, doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire.

He was treated at Virginia Veterinary Center on Cary Street, but died February 15, five days after he was set on fire.

Outrage over Tommie's death prompted Virginia lawmakers to pass legislation dubbed "Tommie's Law" that made animal cruelty a felony in Virginia. Prior to the legislation, the animal had to die as a direct result of the torture or inhumane injury before a suspect faced a felony charge.