Demand Justice for Dog Burned in Barrel

A Fillmore man has been jailed for allegedly forcefully restraining another man against his will and making him watch a red-nosed pitbull get burned to death in a barrel in front of the victim.

The incident took place on June 19 in Hume and was reported 10 days later, and then a more detailed report came the next day.

As a result, Amity-based State Police charged Jeremy J. Vankuren, 33, of Fillmore, on Thursday with felony second-degree kidnapping, felony, aggravated animal cruelty, third-degree menacing, torturing/injuring by failure to provide sustenance and obstruction of governmental administration.

Vankuren was arraigned and jailed on bail set at $20,000 cash and $40,000 bond.

When police went to search the home, they found the burned deceased dog and other items used during the incident, troopers said. The other items were not listed.

The SPCA now has three other dogs, nine cats and a hedgehog called Sonic from the home receiving medical care. The deceased dog was one of the dogs living at the home.

The victim gave details about the dog yelping and screaming from the burn barrel, prosecutors told the Wellsville Sun. The victim was allegedly “forcefully restrained” troopers said, and then after the dog was burned, held against his will for several more hours.

After the complaint, the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) executed a warrant at the Vankuren residence. During the search of the home, where they located the burned and deceased dog.

The Allegany County District Attorney’s Office and investigators with the Allegany County SPCA assisted in this investigation.