Dale City man charged with setting deceased dog on fire

A Dale City man who authorities said set  his dead dog on fire earlier this week was charged Thursday afternoon with illegal outside burning, fire officials said.

Firefighters were called to the 4500 block of Kingston Road in the Kerrydale neighborhood of Dale City at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, where they found smoke billowing from the front of the two-story, single-family home, said Prince William fire and rescue Battalion Chief Joe Robertson.

At the back of the house, firefighters found flames extending from the ground to the attic, he said.

The Fire Marshal’s Office discovered that the resident living at the house, Charles Harris, allegedly tried to dispose of his 11-year-old Rottweiler, who died last week, by putting wood next to the dog’s body and using gasoline to intensify the fire, Robertson said.

The resulting damage from the fire made Harris’ home temporarily uninhabitable, Robertson said.

County fire marshals gave Harris a summons for illegal outside burning, Robertson said.

It is against the law in Prince William County to burn without a permit.

He has a court date of August 24.

Harris said that his dog, named Thor, was gentle around kids and with anybody visiting his home.

Harris opted not to provide a picture of Thor, but he said the dog was black and tan, muscular, and of a Bulgarian bloodline.

He said that several area animal shelters were closed when he called them last weekend after the dog died of unknown causes.

He then contacted local animal hospitals to see if they could help him dispose of the body. He was told that the dog had to be brought to them, according to Harris.

“I couldn’t do it,” Harris said of transporting the dog. “He was too big for me.”

Harris did not say why he allegedly started the fire, citing that his insurance company advised him against disclosing the reason.

Although Harris did not say which animal hospitals he called, there are pick-up crematory services that animal hospitals can utilize, according to Woodbridge Animal Hospital veterinarian James McDonald.

McDonald said that one of these services, Sunset Crematorium in Alexandria, will pick up a dead animal for $259 if the pet is located within the immediate Washington area.

Larger animals, like a Rottweiler, will cost $388, due to a $129 extra person charge for the animal’s weight, according to Sunset employees.

Harris said his insurance company is providing for temporary residence at an area hotel until repairs can be made to his home.

He praised local Fire Marshal officials, as well as the Red Cross, for providing housing assistance for him following the fire.

“They were instrumental in helping me [after the fire],” Harris said.

Animal control officers came by Harris’ home and removed the dog on Thursday, Robertson said.

Robertson said that the fire caused $70,000 in damage.

There were no injuries.

Staff writer David Pierce can be reached at 703-530-3905.