Las Vegas Pet Store Owner Accused Of Arson And Risking The Lives Of 27 Puppies

A Las Vegas pet store owner was arrested Wednesday and charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to her store, the Prince and Princesses Pet shop. Gloria Eun Hye Lee, 35, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree arson and first-degree arson.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, surveillance video at the store showed Lee and another individual pouring gasoline throughout the store and setting a fire. The fire reportedly put the lives of 27 puppies at risk, though the report stated that automatic sprinklers extinguished most of the flames and the puppies were all rescued by responding Clark County firefighters.

CBS Las Vegas reported that the second individual involved in setting the store on fire has been identified as Kirk Bills. Bills was seen on the surveillance video carrying gasoline cans into the pet store and then seen splashing gas throughout the store, even in the kennel area where the puppies were housed. While Bills was doing this and setting fires throughout the establishment, a police report stated that Lee was gathering business files that she intended on removing from the establishment.

In a recent report by The Inquisitr, hundreds of endangered animals were found dead in a South Africa airport. Authorities were investigating whether any laws were broken in South Africa after about 400 amphibians and reptiles were found dead of dehydration and improper shipping, according to animal inspectors.

While charges have been filed against Lee, the Las Vegas pet store owner, the Las Vegas Sun reported that no charges have been filed against Bills. Not everyone is pleased with this, including the Nevada state director of the U.S. Humane Society, Holly Haley, who is reportedly urging the DA’s Office to pursue the strongest possible criminal charges against both Bills and Lee. Haley issued the following statement which was posted to The Human Society Of The United States website:

“We commend the firefighters who swiftly responded and saved the 27 puppies inside. This is a frightening reminder that animals in the pet trade need the strongest protections possible, and should not be treated as disposable inventory. Puppies sold in pet stores often come from large-scale mass-breeding facilities known as puppy mills, where they are denied veterinary care, companionship, exercise, and socialization — and sometimes, as in this case, are even subjected to malicious cruelty. The HSUS recommends adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group, or only buying a puppy from a responsible breeder.”

Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck said that about $100,000 worth of damage was done to the store, but nobody and no animals were harmed. Lee is next expected in court at 8 am Wednesday morning.

[Image via Shutterstock//txking and by Metro Police via Las Vegas Sun]