Puppy burned in Prichard

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - A woman in Prichard is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly setting puppy on fire. It happened on Saturday on Azan Street.

Andrew Stubbs at the Prichard Animal Shelter says his phone rang just before closing up the facility. On the other end, he says was a caller reporting a dog had been set on fire.

"My first reaction, I thought it was a prank call," said Stubbs.

Stubbs says when he pulled down the street, the smell was so overwhelming he knew it wasn’t a prank call. Then he walked around the back of the house and made the shocking discovery.

"By the time I arrived on the scene the dog was already dead and his carcass was already burnt," said Stubbs.

Stubbs says it was a pitt bull puppy no older than 6 months burned beyond recognition.

"This is one of the worst ones that
I’d seen," said Stubbs.

Justin Gilmore lives a few houses down. He saw the authorities responding.

"I don’t know why they burnt the dog," said Gilmore.

Stubbs has an idea.

"It’s possible the dog was used in a fight and the dog lost that fight and that’s the reason she did that to the animal," said Stubbs.

Marketa Sharpe has been charged with the crime. Right now she’s charged under municipal law. Stubbs says she faces a maximum of 10 years.

"An animal is just like a human, its sad someone would do that," said neighbor Michele Frazier.

"The person who did this should get 20 to life," said Gilmore.

Stubbs says Sharpe could also be charged by the county. He also expects more people were involved and could also face charges.