One of the two Buffalo teenagers involved with the burning of a Jack Russell terrier puppy in October pleaded guilty as charged in Erie County Court today to aggravated cruelty to animals. 17-year-old Diondre "Drizzy" Brown admitted to acting as a lookout during the incident on October 29. His companion and uncle, 19-year-old Adell "Zooka" Ziegler has been indicted on an aggravated cruelty to animals charge.
Ziegler is accused of setting the dog on fire using lighter fluid, burning it over 50 percent of its body. If convicted, Ziegler could face up to two years in prison.
The dog, now named Phoenix, has been recovering under the treatment of the Buffalo Small Animal Hospital.
Meanwhile, a charge of misdemeanor animal cruelty has been lodged against 36-year-old Daniel Delaney of Buffalo, after he allegedly dragged a pit bull terrier behind his car on October 6. The dog, named Gotti, is also recovering from his injuries, including abrasions and lost skin on his paws, but they were not serious enough to warrant a felony charge.
Delaney could get up to a year in prison if convicted.
