VIRGINIA BEACH — A man is facing felony charges after he allegedly shot his dog and left it to die in a fire he set to part of his home on Friday night.
Luke Alvarado Hill, 28, is charged with felony animal cruelty, three counts of arson to personal property valued greater than $200 and two counts of arson to an out building, according to the Virginia Beach Fire Department.
VBFD investigators believe that Hill shot his 7-year-old brindle pit bull twice before setting fire to a detached garage that was part of his family home. Hill is accused of leaving the dog in the building while it burned. An examination of the dog showed that it was still alive during the fire.
Firefighters found the dog dead in the garage, located in the 2000 block of Princess Anne Road, after 11 p.m.
It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put the fire out.
Hill was arrested on the scene and taken to the Virginia Beach City Jail.