Soledad man sentenced to prison for brutal dog death

UPDATE: 10/18/2018 10 a.m. A Soledad man was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for burning his family’s dog.

In March, 22-year-old Devonte Sirwet lured his family’s 5 year old Pit Bull, Kato, from their Soledad home, doused the animal in lighter fluid and set him on fire. A Soledad police officer found him off of Metz Road.

Kato was taken to an animal hospital and ultimately had to be humanely euthanized because of his injuries.

Prosecutors said Sirwet was trying to get back at his mother for kicking him out of the house because of his anger issues and drug problems.

In court Thursday, Sirwet’s defense team argued that he was mentally unstable and that he should get probation instead.

KION’s Mary Coleman will have more on the gruesome murder at 5 and 6 p.m.

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8/30/3018 3:30 p.m.: The South County man accused of luring and burning the family dog was back in court on Thursday. Devonte Sirwet was supposed to appear for a preliminary hearing, but it was to announce a plea deal.

Sirwet, 22, pleaded ‘no contest’ to residential burglary, felony animal abuse and arson, in a case prosecutors say was one of the most brutal they have ever seen.

“This was probably the most horrendous, malicious animal abuse case I’ve ever seen in 30 years of being a prosecutor here in Monterey County,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon.

Authorities say this past March, Sirwet lured his family’s 5 year old Pit Bull, Kato, from their Soledad home, doused the animal in lighter fluid and set him on fire. A Soledad police officer found him off of Metz Road in Soledad.

“Poor Kato was burned over 90 percent of his body and he was still alive when he was found so we can’t imagine what he had to endure and the pain,” said Beth Brookhouser with the SPCA for Monterey County.

Kato was taken to an animal hospital and ultimately had to be humanely euthanized because of his injuries.

Prosecutors say Sirwet was trying to get back at his mother for kicking him out of the house because of his anger issues and drug problems.

“It was done to make a statement and it was done to not only inflict pain on the dog but his mother,” Brannon said.

Sirwet will be sentenced on October 18 to six years and eight months in prison for the crimes. Because it is part of a plea deal, he is agreeing not to appeal it.

A dedicated group of animal advocates called “Justice for Kato” had been going to all of the hearings. They don’t believe six years is enough.

“I would’ve preferred a ‘I’m guilty’ rather than a ‘no contest,'” Laura Mendez said. “I would’ve preferred life instead of six years eight months and two strikes, however, I’m confident in karma, I’m confident in prison karma.”

Sirwet’s family was in court on Thursday. They did not want to speak to KION about the case.

ORIGINAL POST: A South Monterey County man will spend more than six years in prison for his role in the brutal death of a family pet.

Devonte Sirwet pleaded “no contest” to residential burglary, animal abuse and arson on Thursday morning.

Authorities said on March 27, Sirwet lured his mother’s pit bull, Kato, out of the family home, doused him in lighter fluid and set the dog on fire. The animal was later found off of Metz Road in Soledad with burns to 90-percent of his body. The animal was later humanely euthanized.

Authorities say Sirwet did it to exact revenge on his mother, who had kicked him out of the house because of temper issues and a drug problem.

Sirwet will be formally sentenced on October 18.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on the story tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.

PREVIOUS STORY:

8/30/3018 3:30 p.m.: The South County man accused of luring and burning the family dog was back in court on Thursday. Devonte Sirwet was supposed to appear for a preliminary hearing, but it was to announce a plea deal.

Sirwet, 22, pleaded ‘no contest’ to residential burglary, felony animal abuse and arson, in a case prosecutors say was one of the most brutal they have ever seen.

“This was probably the most horrendous, malicious animal abuse case I’ve ever seen in 30 years of being a prosecutor here in Monterey County,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon.

Authorities say this past March, Sirwet lured his family’s 5 year old Pit Bull, Kato, from their Soledad home, doused the animal in lighter fluid and set him on fire. A Soledad police officer found him off of Metz Road in Soledad.

“Poor Kato was burned over 90 percent of his body and he was still alive when he was found so we can’t imagine what he had to endure and the pain,” said Beth Brookhouser with the SPCA for Monterey County.

Kato was taken to an animal hospital and ultimately had to be humanely euthanized because of his injuries.

Prosecutors say Sirwet was trying to get back at his mother for kicking him out of the house because of his anger issues and drug problems.

“It was done to make a statement and it was done to not only inflict pain on the dog but his mother,” Brannon said.

Sirwet will be sentenced on October 18 to six years and eight months in prison for the crimes. Because it is part of a plea deal, he is agreeing not to appeal it.

A dedicated group of animal advocated called “Justice for Kato” had been going to all of the hearings. They don’t believe six years is enough.

“I would’ve preferred a ‘I’m guilty’ rather than a ‘no contest,'” Laura Mendez said. “I would’ve preferred life instead of six years eight months and two strikes, however, I’m confident in karma, I’m confident in prison karma.”

Sirwet’s family was in court on Thursday. They did not want to speak to KION about the case.

ORIGINAL POST: A South Monterey County man will spend more than six years in prison for his role in the brutal death of a family pet.

Devonte Sirwet pleaded “no contest” to residential burglary, animal abuse and arson on Thursday morning.

Authorities said on March 27, Sirwet lured his mother’s pit bull, Kato, out of the family home, doused him in lighter fluid and set the dog on fire. The animal was later found off of Metz Road in Soledad with burns to 90-percent of his body. The animal was later humanely euthanized.

Authorities say Sirwet did it to exact revenge on his mother, who had kicked him out of the house because of temper issues and a drug problem.

Sirwet will be formally sentenced on October 18.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on the story tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.