Crazy America has covered its share of shocking canine stories in recent months.
Until this week, the dubious prize for the sickest conduct with man’s best friend belonged to Nolene Renee Horn of Kentucky who, along with her partner, forced their poor pooch into sex.
Horn, and her beau Christopher S. Jones, narrowly escaped jail earlier this year for their revolting act.
Unfortunately, there is a new contender now vying for first place in the pantheon of canine cruelty.
Last week, a drunken Pennsylvania man shot his dog and grilled the animal in a fire pit in his front yard, authorities said.
Nikolay Lukyanchikov, 48, was arrested Friday outside his Northampton Township home. Police said they found a burning fire pit and a couch in flames in the man’s front yard.
“Once the fire was under control, patrol observed an unknown animal badly burned and charred on top of a small metal charcoal grill,” Northampton Township police said in a statement.
“It was later learned the animal was Lukyanchikov’s dog.”
Lukyanchikov was “incredibly intoxicated” at the time and unable to speak, according to an affidavit of probable cause for his arrest obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Lukyanchikov was also dousing $100 bills with lighter fluid and burning them in the metal fire pit — which was topped with a barbecue grate where his pooch was cooked, according to the affidavit.
The dog apparently had been shot in the eye prior to being badly burned, authorities said.
Lukyanchikov’s roommate reportedly told cops he confessed to shooting his dog with a handgun before hiding the animal outside. Cops found bullet holes in a bedroom, as well as in a hallway, the affidavit states.
A handgun believed to be the weapon used to kill the pet was also recovered from the home, the Inquirer reported.
Lukyanchikov was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, reckless endangerment and possessing instruments of a crime.
Lukyanchikov’s bail was set at an unusually high $1 million. He remained in custody as of Tuesday. Prosecutors sought the amount due to the felony animal cruelty charge and claimed he was a danger to the community, the Inquirer said.