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Dog Hung From Fence, Doused In Accelerant, Set On Fire; Punish Her Killer

Published: September 22, 2021 at 07:37 PM Author: Penny Eims

Los Angeles, California – On August 22, a seven-year-old dog named Hennessy was hung from a fence, doused with an accelerant, and set on fire. The authorities have identified 24-year-old Brandon Jerold Smith, the dog’s owner, as the killer.

Hennessy’s death was not quick, or painless. After spending two days at an animal shelter, A Purposeful Rescue took the grievously injured corgi mix under its wing. Though she received round-the-clock care from an emergency veterinarian, her widespread burns proved to be fatal.

Carrie-Lynn Neales, a volunteer with the rescue group, said, “I’ve never witnessed something that horrific.”

The rescuers who tried to save her life had dubbed the injured dog, Eponine, from the strong female character in the play, Les Miserable. They had hoped she would have the strength to recover from her severe injuries, but their hope was not enough to save her. On September 8, the rescue group vowed to fight for justice, writing:

#justiceforeponine who we now know was named Hennesy.
We will NOT stop fighting for her and other innocent animals who suffer at the hands of individuals like this.

Before Hennessy died, the rescue group explained that she had suffered burns on literally ever portion of her body. They said, “Every single part. Inside her mouth, ears, paws, stomach, back, neck, nose.” Suffice to say, this dog suffered greatly before death released her from the unimaginable pain.

Smith’s ex-girlfriend, Serena Prentice, is horrified and disgusted by what happened, but she isn’t completely surprised. She alleges that Smith was burning birds alive this summer, and posting video of the cruel acts to social media.

The heartbroken woman expressed sorrow over Smith’s act of cruelty to their pet:

“I never thought that he’d do that to her, he would hurt me, but why her?”

Brandon Jerold Smith was arrested and he is facing one felony count each for cruelty to animals and arson of property of another; we need your signature on the petition to help convince the court that this man deserves the maximum sentence for his charges. Hennessy was an innocent victim who did not deserve the cruelty to which she was subjected to.

*Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

News:

NY Post

ABC 7 News

Los Angeles Times

Fox LA

Petition Letter

Update 1/17/2023: Animal Victory spoke with the clerk of the court’s office. The case file notes state there is no further movement since the 9/28 mental health diversion hearing. Please continue to sign. Smith

Update 9/29/2022: Court has been delayed to November 15, 2022, because the public defender was not ready. 

IMPORTANT UPDATE 9/21/2022:  Animal Victory has been in communication with Deputy District Attorney, Samantha Borghi. We would like you to know that the next court date is 9/28/22 at the Hollywood Mental Health Court, 5925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles in department 203. The judge is James Bianco. The court is an open courthouse which means the public is allowed to be present. It generally starts at 8:30 am. 

The defendant has been found competent and should be returned to the criminal courts, but the judge in the mental health court has decided to keep the case there and consider a mental health diversion which would result in a dismissal of this case. DA Borghi will be present at the hearing and her office will be objecting to any diversionary offer. Hillary Rosen, founder of A Purposeful Rescue, and the person who took care of Hennessey has hand-delivered over 600 pages along with the petition to the courtroom to Judge James Bianco on September 23.

Below are notes and options for you to use your voice for the hearing:

  • The hearing room is #203  
  • CASE # ZM066141 Brandon Jerold Smith 
  • They only let in 50 ppl to the hearing. 
  • There is no parking lot /limited street parking 
  • The nearest subway is Hollywood and vine & can walk. 1/2 mile. 
  • We can also ATTEND (they will know we are
  • There) via WEBEX APP code #1875267017
  • Anyone can CALL in 213-306-3065 with the same code #1875267017 to listen. 
  • Letters to the judge can be faxed to 492-247-3957
  • Letters can be dropped off at 5925 Hollywood Blvd bet 8:30-4 pm in person. 
  • NO EMAIL to the judge. They don’t have email. 

Update 9/12/2022: Revised: Animal Victory has sent 33,222 signatures to DA Samantha Borghi. The court is NOT on October 6 as previously mentioned. Please continue to sign.

Update 11/3/2021: Animal Victory has learned that the next scheduled court appearance is on October 6, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at the Compton Courthouse. This is not a typo. The court date is in October 2022. At this time Animal Victory has sent 23,985 signatures and comments to DA Daniel Gerbo. Please continue to sign as we work on the case.

Animal-Protection-Laws-of-California-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund

Dog Hung From Fence, Doused In Accelerant, Set On Fire; Punish Her Killer

35,006 signatures = 175% of goal
0
20,000

   

PETITION SIGNATURES:
35,006 Newa Winikerei BASTARD , JUSTICE NEEDS TO BE SERVED FOR THE HORRIFIC CRUELTY TOWARDS AN INNOCENT DOG. KARMA May 22, 2023
35,005 Karen Mcginn May 15, 2023
35,004 Stacey Bailey May 10, 2023
35,003 Shelley Smith May 06, 2023
35,002 Krista Sanders May 01, 2023
35,001 Kathy Hamilton May 01, 2023
35,000 Darlene Raper Apr 30, 2023
34,999 Bankston Lisa Apr 29, 2023
34,998 Alisha Adams Apr 27, 2023
34,997 Sharon Basham Apr 22, 2023
34,996 Rosie Leyva Pls pls pls pls pls jail to this monster Apr 08, 2023
34,995 sophie tesson Apr 07, 2023
34,994 Lori Zamudio Apr 06, 2023
34,993 Catheine Galvin I wish someone would wipe the smile off that scumbag's face. Anyone who commits such a deplorable act deserves to ROT in prison. He and that SOB cop who killed a cat...all animal abusers are trash and they are a DANGER to society. Put Bandon Jerold Smith in prison for a LONG time and NEVER let him own or be near ANY animal again! He is a DANGER to society! He is a cold-blooded MURDERER! Apr 05, 2023
34,992 Adrienne Venditti horrible give the worst penalty to this offender. Mar 30, 2023
34,991 Fiona Allday Mar 29, 2023
34,990 Jerry Spencer Mar 27, 2023
34,989 Cara Tate Mar 27, 2023
34,988 Terry Smith Mar 27, 2023
34,987 Jessica Burgas Mar 27, 2023
34,986 Ria Mewalal Mar 17, 2023
34,985 M W Mar 12, 2023
34,984 Grace VanEss Mar 09, 2023
34,983 Amalia Kadam Mar 09, 2023
34,982 Nancy Donnelly Mar 03, 2023
34,981 Marlena Wojciechowska Mar 03, 2023
34,980 Mary Gibson Mar 03, 2023
34,979 Chris Leverich Mar 01, 2023
34,978 angel blanchard punish to the maximum Mar 01, 2023
34,977 Marie Barbour Feb 26, 2023