Park Fire Arson Suspect Should Be Charged With Cruelty to Animals, PETA Says
For Immediate Release:
August 22, 2024
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
Today, PETA sent a letter to Butte County District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey asking that cruelty-to-animals charges be added to the arson charge that Ronnie Dean Stout II is set to be further arraigned on this afternoon in connection with the devastating Park fire, which has burned more than 429,000 acres of land and destroyed hundreds of homes.
The group notes that several companion animals died and dozens were burned and that an untold number of wild animals were undoubtedly injured, killed, or displaced as a result of the blaze. Causing an animal unnecessary or unjustifiable pain, suffering, or death violates California’s animal protection laws, and prosecutors in Monterey County, California, and Medford, Oregon, have pursued such charges in similar cases that resulted in convictions.
“As the disastrous Park fire tore through Northern California, countless terrified animals saw their world go up in flames—including beloved companions who died in agony,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is urging District Attorney Ramsey to hold the perpetrator accountable to the fullest extent of the law for causing such immeasurable suffering.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Ramsey follows.
August 22, 2024
The Honorable Michael L. Ramsey
District Attorney
Butte County
Dear Mr. Ramsey:
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that your office add cruelty-to-animals charges, as appropriate, to the felony arson charge that Ronnie Dean Stout II already faces in connection with the devastating Park fire near Chico.
While it’s well known that the fire has destroyed nearly 640 structures—including at least 209 homes—and scorched nearly 430,000 acres of land, such catastrophic fires also inflict terror and suffering on many domesticated and wild animals, causing them to experience prolonged, agonizing deaths. For example, a male Rottweiler died in the Park fire, a female dog died from internal injuries sustained in the fire, and North Valley Animal Disaster Group volunteers told media that at least two families had “lost … most of their animals” in the blaze. William Burke, associate director of planning for the University of California–Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine’s California Veterinary Emergency Team, reported that the group had treated approximately 40 animals suffering primarily from burn injuries.
Cal. Penal Code § 597(b) states that any person who “tortures, torments … or cruelly kills any animal, or causes … any animal to be … tortured, tormented … or cruelly killed” is guilty of cruelty to animals. Cal. Penal Code § 599b states that “‘torment,’ ‘torture,’ and ‘cruelty’ include every act … whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.”
Given that Stout is accused of willfully and maliciously starting a wildfire that led to unnecessary and unjustifiable pain, suffering, and death for animals, I respectfully ask that investigators and your office add cruelty-to-animals charges to the charge he already faces. In 2022, prosecutors in Monterey County and Oregon pursued such charges in similar cases, resulting in convictions.
Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do.
Sincerely,
Sarah Deffinger
Senior Evidence Analyst
Cruelty Investigations Department
