Man accused of stealing, lighting pit bull on fire in Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - A man is accused of stealing a pit bull from its home near Soledad and lighting the dog on fire. 

According to the SPCA for Monterey County Devonte Sirwet-Pereaa is accused of severely burning a black and white American Pit Bull dog named Kato. 

Kato was found with burns over 90 percent of his body Tuesday on Metz Road just outside of the city limits of Soledad. Kato's injuries were so severe that he had to be euthanized. 

Sirwet-Perea was arrested early this morning in Salinas and booked into Monterey County Jail for animal theft, animal cruelty, arson, and possession of controlled substances. Sirwet-Perea could be charged with animal cruelty, dog theft, arson and possession of a controlled substance. 

“The pain and terror this poor dog endured must have been unimaginable,” says Beth Brookhouser, SPCA Director of Community Outreach. “No living being should ever suffer like that. We are thankful to the Monterey County Sherriff’s Office for locating the suspect, and thankful to our community for the outpouring of support over this horrific case of animal cruelty.” 
 
Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact the SPCA for Monterey County at 831-373-2631 or online at www.SPCAmc.org/report-cruelty. All reports are confidential.