Maximum Penalty for Man Who Allegedly Killed Cat in Fire

A Lawrenceville man has been charged with first-degree arson and aggravated cruelty to animals after authorities say he started a townhome fire Tuesday in the 800 block of Old Peachtree Road, NW near Dean Road in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville. There were no injuries in the fire but a cat was found deceased inside the home by firefighters.

Jose Antonio Ramirez, 37, lived in the same townhome community he set fire to, according to the Gwinnett Fire Department. The incident originated as a suspicious person call for Gwinnett County Police, after a resident of the townhome community called 911 to report someone trying to unlawfully enter their screened porch.

If Ramirez is found guilty of setting the fire, he should face the maximum penalty for cruelty to animals because of the cat that perished in the blaze.