Stranger accused of burning, killing Kentucky family’s missing dog

HENDERSON, Ky. — A Kentucky man is behind bars after police said he burned and killed a dog.

According to WEHT-TV, Bryan K. Matthews, 32, of Henderson, was arrested Thursday on charges of torturing a dog and third-degree arson in the death of a miniature poodle named Duke. 

The dog's owner, Gina Howard, told WEHT that Duke vanished earlier this month as her family grieved for a loved one. Someone found the dog dead June 7 in a Henderson Country Fairgrounds restroom, authorities said. Henderson County Animal Control issued a statement saying "it was clear" that Duke "had been intentionally burned alive," the Henderson Gleaner reported. 

In the following days, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Pet Food Center and a crowdfunding campaign contributed more than $16,000 in reward money in the search for Duke's killer, WEHT reported.

Officials have not released a possible motive in the case. Howard told WEHT that she doesn't know Matthews and has never encountered him.

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Cox Media Group