Puppy burned in domestic dispute recovering

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By ABC11

Thursday, July 15, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE The 9-week-old puppy still has scars and blisters, after sheriff's investigators say 24-year-old Tony Brian Knolle tried to set the dog, who's name is Red, on fire during an argument with his wife. He's charged with felony animal cruelty.

At first there were concerns Red would have to go back to his owner, but Knolle's wife signed the puppy over to Cumberland County Animal Services after the incident.

Animal lovers around the country have been beating a path to the shelter's door, offering to give him a good home.

"We had 150 e-mails and 300 phone calls in two days of people wanting to adopt," Cumberland County Animal Services Director Dr. John Lauby said.

Lauby says Red is responding well to medical care and will be adopted out as soon as a judge says it's okay.

"So I think the only fair way will be to do a raffle type drawing put all the names in a hat and draw somebody," he said.

Anyone interested in adopting Red, should contact animal services at (910)321-6852. Lauby says he hopes to adopt Red out to his new home within the next several weeks. He also says they have a lot of other animals at the shelter that need new homes too.

Meanwhile, Knolle has been released from the Cumberland County Detention Center on $3,000 bond.