Pit bull who was set on fire and beaten attends his abuser's parole hearing
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A scarred but friendly pit bull named Louis Vuitton was the star witness Tuesday as an Alabama state board denied parole for the man convicted of spraying him with lighter fluid, setting him on fire and beating him with a shovel.
After the 8-year-old dog was led into the packed hearing room, the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 3 to 0 to deny early release to 23-year-old Juan Daniels of Montgomery, who was sentenced in 2009 to nine years and six months in prison, a record in Alabama in an animal cruelty case.
Daniels, whose supporters said he had been sentenced far more harshly than criminals who harm human beings, will be eligible for parole again in July 2012.
The dog stuck his head forward for everyone who wanted to pet him as he entered. He bears burn scars from his head to his wagging tail, including white lines on his brown body where the burning lighter fluid seared his skin.
"You have to see the scars to see what was done to him," said the dog's owner, Dee Hartley of Montgomery. She and her husband adopted the dog after the torture incident.
It's unusual for a dog or other animal to make an appearance before such a panel.
"I don't recall every having one here before," said Cynthia Dillard, executive director of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.
The September 2007 attack on the dog drew wide notice. The Montgomery Humane Society got as many as 50 calls a day about the case, some from other countries. The dog was given the name of a French fashion brand, Louis Vuitton, in honor of a dog named Gucci, whose torture case in Mobile in 1994 led to passage of Gucci's Law, which made animal cruelty a felony in Alabama.
More than 60 law enforcement officers, animal rights advocates and other supporters of Louis crowded into the hearing. Relatives and friends of Daniels also faced the board and asked that he be released.
Montgomery County Dist. Atty. Ellen Brooks asked parole board members to make Daniels serve his entire sentence because of his cruelty to the dog and the nine disciplinary actions taken against him in prison.
"The first reason to deny parole is to prevent him from hurting another animal or a person," Brooks said. She said he was accused of torturing the dog, which then belonged to his mother, because he was angry at her for not letting him use the car.
His mother, Vellica Daniels, asked for leniency for her son, so that he could get on with his life.
A cousin, Thomas Hudson, said after the hearing he didn't think it was fair because Daniels is behind bars with "folks who committed more extensive crimes than he committed."
Holladay Simmons, the veterinarian who treated Louis immediately after he was burned, told the board the dog's wounds were as bad as she had ever seen.
Matt Cooper, the county animal cruelty officer who responded to the call, said after the hearing: "I've worked cases where people let their dog starve to death, but this was the worst case of animal cruelty that I've seen."
Louis stood patiently outside the parole board offices after the hearing as people lined up to pat him on the head. He nuzzled up to many of his admirers, giving some a big, juicy lick on the face.
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-- Bob Johnson, Associated Press
Photos: (top and middle) Screen grabs from a YouTube video about Louis Vuitton's progress, as documented by his new owner. (The video, and additional videos of Louis, are available on dogdocAL's YouTube channel.)
(bottom) Louis Vuitton at the veterinary clinic where he was treated after being sprayed with lighter fluid, set on fire and beaten in September 2007. Credit: David Bundy / Associated Press
I applaud the Alabama State Parole Board for denying 23 year old Juan Daniels parole. I hope they continue to deny it to him. He needs to understand that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. I only hope that he gets some kind of treatment when he gets out, so he never hurts another animal again. This man also had nine disciplinary actions taken against him in prison, which shows he doesn't obey the rules. I wish our county had stronger anti-cruelty laws that they would enforce.
Posted by: Linda Pritchard | April 11, 2011 at 01:05 PM
There's something wrong with his mother obviously. She probably doesn't care about animals herself so her son doesn't either. He's not remorseful so he should stay in jail.
Posted by: Evs | April 12, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Only 23 years? I hope is's a really nasty prison.
Posted by: R Rassendyll | April 13, 2011 at 06:22 AM
Didnt think you would post my first message so I will tone this one down, this thing is lucky hes is going to jail and not having to live with the mental anguish that the dog has to live with !! Its ok because there is a special place in hell for those that abuse animals, believe you me karma will not be his friend :(
I am glad that the dog now knows love and kindness, kudos to the family that took this baby and rehabed him.....showing him the gentlness, goodness and love of certain human beings !
Posted by: leslie Jehle | April 13, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Thank you Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board for taking a stand for those who cannot speak. Thanks to Dee Hartley for adopting the dog and taking to the hearing.
Posted by: S. Cole | April 13, 2011 at 01:54 PM
So.... this was the guy's mother's dog, and he set it on fire and beat it with a shovel because his mom wouldn't let him borrow her car. And now she's pleading for her son to be released so he can "get on with his life".
Any doubts as to why this guy is as messed up as he is?
Posted by: lolsuz | April 13, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Dogs are people too. That horrible man should get a death sentence.
Posted by: Kristen | April 14, 2011 at 08:45 AM
GOD,,,WHAT IS WRONG WITH HUMANS!!!!YOU GAVE US SUPER BRAINS,,,,TO CARE FOR THIS PLANET,,,AND WE ARE USING OUR BRAINS TO COMMIT AWFUL ACTS AGAINST NATURE,,,,WE DESERVE NO MERCY,,,WE KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG,,WE ARE EVIL,,,PLEASE PLEASE PROTECT OUR PLANET FROM BAD EVIL HUMANS,,,,WE THE FEW GOOD HUMANS NEED YOUR PROTECTION TOO,,,PLEASE HELP US CATCH THOSE BAD EVIL HUMANS BEFORE THEY HARM OUR BEAUTIFUL INOCENT ANIMALS,,,GIVE THEM WISDOM,,,,I AM PRAYING TO YOU GOD,,,,,WE HOPE PEOPLE LIKE THIS GUY UNDERSTAND THAT CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS SOOOOOO WRONG,,ANIMALS DONT DESERVE ANY HARM OF ANY FORM.
Posted by: eddie toruno | April 14, 2011 at 10:31 AM
i think the accused got what he deserved...it's about time the law started giving out harsher jail sentences for the cruelty of animals.these animals all the ask for is to be loved and cared for,nothing else....i wish only good things for louis and god bless the couple who adopted him....he will be just fine now.
Posted by: mar | May 18, 2011 at 07:28 PM
I am glad that evil person was denied of parol. Look at this beautiful baby. What on earth can he do to you for you to do that to him. how would you feel if some one to that to you or some one you love. If he attached this evil person i am sure he has his reasons. The law need to be tuffer on these criminal evil call themselve human. If you hvae half a brain and a heart you will not do this to any one or any animals.
Justice for those voiceless.
Posted by: celestine khuong | May 19, 2011 at 04:57 AM
The laws about animal cruelty need to be changed. Animal laws should be well placed within the justice system & reinforced. The SENTENCE! need to be a lot longer. They need to be in jail a lot longer. or be killed.
Posted by: Joan M. Michel | May 19, 2011 at 07:36 AM
This dog's abuser was sentenced to 9.5 years in Alabam while Lacey's abuser was sentenced to 8 months in Bakersfield, California. Lacey, a little white 10 lb. terrier mix, was beaten by her owner with a golf club, had bleach sprayed into her eyes, tied to a tree and left to die. 9.5 years vs. 8 months? What the hell Bakersfield?
Posted by: Heather | May 22, 2011 at 10:23 AM
some people just don't know what to say why would he hurt his mother everybody makes mistakes.
Posted by: leisha | May 25, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Leisha says: "everybody makes mistakes"
I Say: Are you for real? A mistake would be buying the wrong brand of cereal NOT pouring lighter fluid on a animal, setting it on fire and beating it with a shovel because you can't borrow the car. This man has serious problems. He's a spoilt brat and definitely needs some kind of anger management classes. He is a danger to society. It's a proven fact that most wife abusers and child abusers start off with animal abuse.
Congratulations Alabama!!!!! I applaud your stand against animal cruelty.
Posted by: Dianne McGonigle | June 09, 2011 at 12:08 PM