A man who abducted a dog and set her on fire last spring after a domestic dispute was sentenced to prison Wednesday.
Michael Paul Busico, 41, abducted Dixie — a 4-year-old red heeler — on March 1, 2021. The dog belonged to his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, and Busico was accused of stealing the pet after a dispute with the ex-girlfriend over money and their relationship.
Buisco then drove to a frontage road near I-80 and 9300 West, where he pulled over and set the dog on fire, court documents state. Dixie suffered from extensive second- and third-degree burns to most of her body and was euthanized due to her injuries.
Busico was convicted on May 19 of second-degree felony arson and third-degree felony torture of a companion animal. He was sentenced Wednesday to serve one to 20 years in state prison.
“The outcome of this case is a huge win for pets in Utah,” Talia Butler, division director of Salt Lake County Animal Services, said in a news release. “This is a step in the right direction and emphasizes that animals cannot be tortured to manipulate and hurt other humans.”
“Salt Lake County Animal Services hopes that these strict penalties will deter future animal and domestic abuse cases,” Butler continued.
Individuals may report animal abuse or cruelty to authorities at 801-840-4000, or through email at animalcontrol@slco.org.
Editor’s note • Those who are experiencing intimate partner violence, or know someone who is, are urged to call the Utah Domestic Violence Link Line, 1-800-897-LINK (5465), or the Utah Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line, 1-888-421-1100.
