“Definitely, I Feel Sorry The Dog Did Not Light The First Time”: South Carolina Man Given Five Years For Burning Girlfriend’s Dog

We have often discussed how felons guilty of cruelty to animals are often given light sentences. An exception is Hykeem Dontavious Jabar Golson, who will rightfully spend years in jail for burning his girlfriend’s dog alive in a church parking lot.  Golson was was sentenced to five years in prison for the 2016 crime (in addition to a $5000 fine).  He received the maximum sentence under South Carolina law — only the second person to ever receive the maximum sentence.

Golson told police “Definitely, I feel sorry the dog did not light the first time.”  The burning pit bull puppy was spotted by a neighbor who was walking his dogs.  The man called 911 but the  10-week-old puppy died from the burns.

This is precisely the type of tough sentencing that many of us have advocated for animal cruelty, which is often undercharged in many states as a misdemeanor.  Golson is obviously a danger not just to innocent animals but society at large if he is willing to do such a despicable and heartless act.