MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)– A man is facing charges after police say he was responsible for setting a dog on fire in Nutbush last month.
A dog named Riona- which is Irish for Queenly, was doused with gasoline and intentionally set on fire in the Nutbush community on June 20 around 8 p.m.
In a video shared with WREG, you see the dog run into view on fire as neighbors leap into action and spray the dog with water.
Bluff City Veterinary Specialists, the veterinary hospital that treated the dog, reported that an accelerant was used. The dog, now called Riona, suffered from fourth-degree burns, covering about 60 percent of her body.
Investigators said a surveillance video showed a large man in the backyard of a home on Berkshire only 36 seconds before Riona escaped and ran down Hood Street.
Memphis police say her owner Quishon Brown is responsible.
MPD says earlier this week, Brown was overheard saying he was “going to burn down the house of whoever gave the video to the police and news”. He was arrested the next day
Riona was rescued by Tails of Hope Dog Rescue. The Memphis-based dog rescue organization offered a $20,000 reward for any information about the suspect.
WREG reported that Riona was receiving international attention from people all over the world for her TikTok videos and different colored bandages.
According to Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, Riona is making improvements every day but the concern doesn’t stop with her.
While filming, we noticed another dog on Brown’s property. Neighbors said they’ve called police and Memphis Animal Services multiple times, but nothing has happened
We reached out to Memphis Animal Services to see if they plan on taking action regarding the other animal to which they responded, “Now that the arrest has been confirmed, we are working with MPD who will determine if the remaining animals are on the property.”
Brown was arrested and charged Tuesday for aggravated animal cruelty, arson to wit set fire to personal property, and simple assault.