Midlands man set a puppy on fire. Here’s how much time he’ll serve for the crime

A Harbison-area man, who was accused of setting fire to a puppy in a church parking lot, was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday.

Hykeem Dontavious Jabar Golson, 22, was sentenced to five years in prison and to pay the maximum fine of $5,000 on charges of felony animal cruelty, according to multiple media reports.

Golson burned the puppy while taking out his frustrations over a domestic situation, said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott after the November 2016 incident. When investigators tracked down the puppy’s owner, they were able to find who burned it.

Golson used accelerant and other materials to set the puppy on fire, Lott said. A witness saw the puppy burning. The puppy was so badly injured it was put down at an animal hospital.

The brutality of the incident rattled the responding deputies and Lott, who has dogs of his own.

After Golson was sentenced, Denise Wilkinson, CEO of Pawmetto Lifeline, said it was a great day in South Carolina for companion pets, according to WLTX and WIS.

“While an innocent life was lost in the most horrific manner, justice was delivered,” said Wilkinson, according to both stations. “We must continue to fight the fight and hold people accountable for these crimes.”

Golson had previously pleaded guilty to several crimes, including a shoplifting charge in 2013, possession of beer or wine as a minor in 2013, larceny of more than $2,000 in 2015 and several driving offenses, according to police and court records.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Midlands man set a puppy on fire. Here’s how much time he’ll serve for the crime."