We Hope for Retrial in Case of Dog Set on Fire

by Stephanie Feldstein ·

The trial of Travers and Tremayne Johnson, the Baltimore twins accused of burning a dog alive, ended in a mistrial last week.

In 2009, the pit bull named Phoenix by her rescuers, had been doused in gasoline and set on fire. A Baltimore city police officer used her sweatshirt to put out the flames. Incredibly, the dog was wagging her tail at the veterinary clinic. But with burns on 98 percent of her body, Phoenix couldn't be saved.

Jennifer Mead-Brause, executive director of Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), said in astatement: "Because of her ... the seriousness of animal abuse has been elevated to a national level." She called Phoenix a "change agent and public figure for animal abuse."

But for all her celebrity and influence, there was no justice for Phoenix in court.

Her suffering brought together animal advocates, law enforcement and government officials to address the issue of animal abuse in Baltimore. And her case was taken seriously; the Johnson twins, both 17 years old at the time of Phoenix's death, were charged as adults.

After three days of deliberation, after witness testimony and repeatedly watching surveillance video from the scene of the crime, 11 jurors believed Travers and Tremayne were guilty. But there was one dissenting vote who wouldn't budge.

Most of the jury had no doubt that the twins were responsible for this horrendous crime. One juror told theBaltimore Sun, "There is no other logical explanation for who might have caused this." But no matter how much they tried to convince the holdout, that one juror was "simply not willing to listen to reason."

While this case may have changed the game in terms of raising awareness and getting officials to take animal abuse seriously, many advocates still want justice for Phoenix.

Caroline Griffin, a member of the Baltimore Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force formed in the wake of Phoenix's death, told CBS Baltimore, "We're disappointed the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict and we are hopeful the State's Attorney's Office will retrial this."

Now it's up to the State's Attorney to retry this case. Please urge the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office to seek justice for Phoenix.

Photo credit: BARCS  http://news.change.org/

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.