Justice for Hope puppy A German Shepard mix puppy was intentionally doused with gasoline and set on fire. The Memphis Animal Shelter named her Hope. Vincent Boykin, 20, and Tristan Hathaway, 18, are charged with aggravated cruelty to animals. Eighteen-year-old Jerrica Agnew and her 16-year-old sister, Jasmine Johnson, allegedly saw Vincent Boykin hold the puppy down and Tristan Hathaway set her on fire with a lighter in the 1600 block of Kilarney, west of Airways in Whitehaven. Both suspects have a history of trouble with the law. Hathaway was out on bond on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated burglary. Boykin pleaded guilty to attempted voluntary manslaughter in 2007 for an incident in which he told police he hid in a trash can for hours before shooting a man in the leg. The link between animal cruelty and other forms of societal violence is a real concern Their bail has already been increased thanks to local citizens who appeared at the first hearing on behalf of the puppy. We, the undersigned, respectfully urge a harsh penalty for this hideous crime.

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