Second man convicted of setting cat on fire

Stephen Paslawski, a lieutenant with the Philadelphia Fire Department, is adopting Campbell, the cat who was set on fire by two who have been charged with animal cruelty. Credit: PSPCA

The second man charged with setting Campbell the cat on fire last November in Olney was today convicted of animal cruelty and criminal conspiracy, charges he had pleaded guilty to last month.

Jose Sanchez, 18, was sentenced to two years’ reporting probation on each count, two years’ prohibition from owning animals and $2,400 in restitution fines, according to the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Sanchez, along with Tyrique Hall, 18, had pleaded guilty to animal cruelty about two months after a witness saw the two men douse the cat in accelerant and set him on fire. The men were arrested less than two weeks later on Nov. 19.Hall is slated for sentencing on Feb. 11. According to the PSPCA, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

PSPCA veterinarians treated Campbell’s burns for three weeks. Funds were raised for Campbell to undergo a series of surgeries at Penn Vet to remove dead tissue and reconstruct his skin. Lt. Steven Paslawski, of the Philadelphia Fire Department, adopted Campbell around Thanksgiving. He reports that Campbell’s wounds are almost completely healed.

Follow Metro Philadelphia on Twitter:@metrophilly

Follow City Editor Christina Paciolla on Twitter:@cpaciolla

Follow Metro Philadelphia on Facebook:Metro Philadelphia