Man accused of burning dog in court
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — One of the Buffalo teenagers accused of burning a puppy pleaded not guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals today Erie County Court.
Nineteen-year-old Adell Ziegler is accused of setting Phoenix, a Jack Russell terrier, on fire after dousing it with lighter fluid October 29th.
His co-defendant, 17-year-old Diondre Brown, pleaded guilty last week to the same charge and says he was a lookout while Ziegler set the dog on fire. Ziegler's lawyer says people need to keep an open mind.
"You have, essentially, one person saying my client did something, and right now my client denies that," said defense attorney Earl Key.
Ziegler remains in jail. His next court date has yet to be set. Phoenix is still at the Buffalo Small Animal Hospital. He recently had a skin graft surgery, and is continuing to recover.