Sign: Innocent Kitten Left with Critical Injuries After Man Set Him on Fire

Published: August 07, 2024 at 07:21 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Dayton, OH – In early July, an innocent kitten was left fighting for his life after a man doused him in gasoline and set him on fire. The man identified by the authorities as the person responsible is 21-year-old Eric Williams.

Details of the Crime

Williams allegedly doused the kitten in gasoline on July 7 near Richmond Avenue and Kenwood Avenue. A gas can was found on the porch where two people were found arguing when police arrived at the scene. A Dayton Municipal Court affidavit states that two men were arguing and “when police separated them, one man said he was upset his neighbors set a kitten on fire and were making jokes about it.”

Police spoke with Williams’ girlfriend, who stated that she doused the kitten with water after seeing it “on fire” in her yard. She said her boyfriend had been in the yard, near the kitten at the time the burning kitten was spotted. Williams told the police someone else set the kitten on fire but he failed to provide a name or description. The police arrested him on July 7, and he remains jailed.

Williams is facing a slew of charges including – Arson, cruelty to companion animals, having weapons while under disability, unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance and possession of criminal tools, all felony charges.

Joffrey the kitten

Joffrey suffered devastating burns over most of his body, requiring multiple surgeries. The burns caused extreme pain, and he developed a “severe infection that is resistant to treatment.” The Humane Society of Greater Dayton has taken Joffrey under its wing and the Ohio State University Veterinary Center is providing him with specialized veterinary care.

Please add your name to the petition to hold Eric Williams accountable for the torture he inflicted on this innocent kitten!

Target: Mat Heck, Prosecuting Attorney for Montgomery County, OH

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We the undersigned demand Eric Williams be held accountable for this horrific act of cruelty. This innocent kitten nearly lost his life because of Williams’ actions, and he must receive the maximum sentence for each and every charge stemming from this abhorrent incident. If this man does not face true repercussions for his actions, he will likely offend again, and the pattern of abuse will continue.

Note:

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News:

WHIO

WDTN

Dayton Daily News

WHIO News

(Images via WHIO and Humane Society of Greater Dayton)

Update 6/05/2025:  Warrant is still open for Eric Williams arrest.

Update 5/7/2025: This case is still active and there is an active warrant out for Williams’s arrest. Case # 2024-CR-1947

Update 4/21/2025: Animal Victory received a response from the District Attorney’s office letting us know that the case against Williams was scheduled to go to trial this week but, the defendant failed to appear at his last pretrial conference, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A new trial date will be established after Williams is in custody. We have been assured the Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney intends to hold defendant Williams accountable for setting an innocent kitten on fire. 

Update 4/20/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA with updated signatures. 

Update 12/30/2024: Williams’ final pre-trial is on 4/10/2025 and trial on 4/21/2025.  New case #2024-CR-1947.  There was a logistics issue with the trial scheduled on 12/09/2024 which is why it was moved to April. This is per the Montgomery, OH Clerk of Court website.

Update 8/29/2024: Animal Victory spoke with the prosecuting attorney’s office and thanked us for the petition. They have rest assured us that Prosecutor Heck takes all types of animal cruelty cases very seriously. The local community is united in its outrage over this disturbing case, and they are all committed to holding the defendant accountable for his despicable actions.

To update you, we have indicted defendant Eric Williams on every appropriate charge:

Two counts of Cruelty to Companion Animals – serious harm;

One count of Arson;

One count of Arson – harm to property of another;

One count of Possession of Criminal Tools;

One count of Unlawful Possession of Dangerous Ordnance;

One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability – prior offense of violence.

All of the counts, except for the single count of Arson, are felonies. The case is currently set to go to trial on December 9, 2024, at 9:00 am in front of Judge E. Gerald Parker.

Update 8/28/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the Clerk of Court and ADA. 

Update 8/9/2024: Eric Williams was charged with:

2 charges of cruelty to companion animals (serious harm)

2 charges of arson

1 charge of possession of criminal tools

1 charge of possession of dangerous ordinance

1 charge of having weapons while under disability

Case # 2024 CR 1947

 The ADA is Joshua Rizzo. Bail bond has been set at $10,000. Williams has pleaded not guilty and is currently jailed.

Pre-trial is scheduled for 11/21/2024 and trial is on 12/09/2024.