Witnesses said two dogs set on fire looked like two fireballs running down a Pleasant Grove street Saturday night .
Several neighbors rushed to help the dogs while others tried to chase down the 15- and 17-year-old believed to have set the dogs on fire before turning them loose in the street. By the time police arrived, the teenagers were gone -- though they were later identified.
The dogs were turned over to Dallas Animal Services, but both dogs were burned so badly they were euthanized.
"The two dogs were in agonizing pain," said Jonnie England, director of animal advocacy for the Metroplex Animal Coalition. "The little female dog was either pregnant or nursing, looked worse than Mercy. Her face was practically burned off."
Mercy was another female dog stabbed, doused with gasoline and set on fire three years ago this month. Mercy's attacker, DeShawn Brown, was convicted of third-degree animal cruelty and sentenced to four years in prison for his crime.
"Ironically, April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month," said England. "People have to understand that if you abuse an animal, you will go to jail. Thankfully, more people are stepping up and speaking out for the animal victims of crime -- like the neighbors in this case who called the police and tried to help the dogs."
Dallas Animal Services is launching an investigation into the abuse. They have already impounded six other dogs found at the home of the teens. The two teenagers have been listed as suspects, but no arrests have been made.
