Florida man accused of setting house on fire while dogs were tapped in cages, officials say
Man charged with arson after Seminole County fire kills several dogs
A Seminole County man has been arrested on arson and animal cruelty charges after authorities say he intentionally set a house fire that killed at least six dogs trapped inside their cages.
GENEVA, Fla. - A Florida man has been arrested on arson and animal cruelty charges after authorities say he intentionally set a house fire that killed at least six dogs trapped inside their cages, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators say dogs were trapped in cages
What we know:
The fire broke out around 10 a.m. Monday at a home on Snow Hill Road in Geneva. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as Terrance Banks, 40, who was arrested on charges of second-degree arson and aggravated animal cruelty.
Terrance Banks, 40, is charged with second-degree arson and aggravated animal cruelty. [Credit: Seminole County Sheriff's Office]
According to the arrest report, several dogs were confined inside cages when the fire started, leaving them unable to escape.
Officials allege Banks poured gasoline around his house before setting it on fire.
What we don't know:
Details on a potential motive were not known. Officials talked with Banks after his arrest, however, those details were redacted in the probably cause statement.
What we know about the dogs
By the numbers:
The following is information from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the Seminole County Fire Department:
- 11 total dogs found at the home
- Six died in the fire; 1 of those died outside the home, officials said
- 5 were rescued with serious injuries and taken to an emergency vet
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.