CHARLOTTE, NC — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded the arrest of Cameron Torrence of Mint Hill, N.C., following a viral video that showed an opossum being set on fire. Authorities say the suspect is facing felony animal cruelty charges. The organizations eagerly await additional news on arrests to follow.
Public outrage erupted after the gruesome video surfaced on social media, showing at least three individuals involved in the act. The footage depicts two people squirting lighter fluid on the opossum and igniting the animal, while a third recorded the setting of the small creature on fire. Wildlife officials and local law enforcement, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, have been investigating the case.
“We feel greatly relieved that law enforcement has made an arrest in this sickening and despicable case of cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “The arrest is not just a matter of justice for a savage act of cruelty against an innocent animal, but it’s a protective action for the community. We know that people who commit such malicious and heartless acts of cruelty are very prone to turn their violent instincts against girlfriends, kids, or other members of the community. These types of acts are never one-off incidents.”
This association between cruelty and broader violent actions is detailed in this fact sheet.
Animal Wellness Action offered a reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. We received numerous tips that we passed on to law enforcement. We will be in touch with the authorities to hear from them which tips may have been instrumental in their making an arrest. The organizations will be closely monitoring the case as it moves into its trial phase.