An Alabama man is in police custody after forcing his way into the trailer home of a former girlfriend and setting the house ablaze, incinerating five puppies that were inside.
According to the Ledger-Inquirer, the suspect, 23-year-old Hal David Moore, knows all about fires, having served as a student firefighter for the town of Auburn, where the grisly crime took place. Moore is enrolled at Auburn University.
Police responding to a suspicious incident complaint filed days after the fire had been set found a door opened by force. Inside they found considerable smoke damage. They also found the remains of five small dogs that appeared to have succumbed to smoke inhalation.
According to reports, “Four perfect silhouettes, created by ash and soot, outline where the animals died” inside a bathtub. A fifth dog was found dead inside a cage.
Investigators have reconstructed the crime, which occurred on February 16. Moore broke into the residence, ransacked it, smashed a TV, and finally set the victim’s bed on fire. The victim, whose name has been withheld, was away at the time, as was her small child.
Harold Brown, the woman’s uncle, speculated on the motive, telling authorities, "I guess it was jealousy; jealousy is the only thing it could be." He added:
I can't believe it, he's a great guy. I liked him, we all liked him. We thought she had a winner; it's just sad apparently she can push some buttons.
Moore faces arson, criminal mischief charges, and five counts of first degree animal cruelty.
Says Harold Brown:
I'm going to have to say that he did not intend to hurt those puppies. Maybe he didn't know they were back there. But when you look at that tub and see those silhouettes…. I mean I like dogs more than I like most people. It's sad.
A friend of the victim told police that Moore has a temper. He is being held at the Lee County Detention Facility where bond was set at $18,500.
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