Ohio Man Sent To Prison For Setting Puppy On Fire

Justice has been served for an innocent puppy named Korra.

The man responsible for setting her on fire is behind bars.

Columbus firefighters responded to a fire in Walnut Hill Park on October 11 and found a small puppy with melted plastic on her back and burn marks on her face. It was obvious the puppy was left to die inside the crate that was intentionally set on fire.

Somehow, she escaped and was rescued by firefighters.

The sweet puppy was brought to Diley Hill Animal Medical Center where she was treated and named Korra.

Columbus Division of Fire posted a plea to the public to help find the person responsible for the heinous act. The community came together and within 24 hours the culprit was found and arrested.

Ra’shae Syrtaj Jermaine Johnson confessed to lighting fire to the plastic crate that Korra was locked in and claimed “he didn’t know how else to get rid of the dog.”

During his court hearing on Thursday, he pleaded guilty to three felonies – one being cruelty to companion animals – and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Happening now—
Sentencing for RaShae Johnson. He’s pleading guilty to 3 felonies after setting a puppy on fire in October 2020. Johnson admits to the crime, claiming he didn’t know how else to get rid of the dog. @wsyx6 @fox28columbus pic.twitter.com/sSG3uK80et

— Ciara Lucas (@CiaraVLucas) July 8, 2021

He must also pay restitution to the animal hospital that cared for Korra and is banned from owning animals for 20 years.

Korra won the heart of a staff member at the animal hospital and is now living life to the fullest.

It was a team effort, but justice has finally been served.

In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization, collected over 12,000 signatures urging the district attorney to seek the maximum penalty, and it worked.

“Some criminal acts of animal cruelty are embroiled in mental illness or substance abuse, but a person who consciously confines his own puppy and sets her on fire is a menace to society and must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” stated Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign director. “We are grateful to Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Cory Helffrich for his work to get justice for Korra and protect Franklin County. This conviction will deter potential abusers from committing acts of such heinous acts of violence.”