Animal cruelty trial postponed until Aug. 6

The trial of a Dallas man charged with a third-degree felony in an animal cruelty case last April has been postponed until Aug. 6.

DeShann Brown’s trial was scheduled to start Monday, the one-year anniversary of the death of Mercy, a pit bull puppy that had been doused with gasoline and set on fire last year.

Mercy was found huddled in some bushes behind a North Dallas Apartment complex on April 14, 2006. The two men who discovered the dog that day took her to Operation Kindness, a no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton.  

The 10-month-old puppy was immediately taken to a veterinarian for treatment but died 10 days later. The veterinarians who tried to save her life determined that the young dog had been doused with gasoline and set on fire.  

DeShann Brown, who lived at the complex at Preston and Beltline, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty and use of a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Brown was released on a $250 cash bond and remains out on bail.

Trista Allen, public information officer for the Dallas District Attorney’s office, said Brown’s attorney requested a continuance in the case, moving the trial start date to August.

Mercy’s case attracted attention across the United States and in many foreign countries.  More than 18,000 people signed an online petition started by a Florida woman urging the strongest punishment possible for her abuser.   English singer-songwriter Maria Daines wrote and recorded a song for Mercy that has been posted on numerous internet websites and blogs. An estimated 1,500 people attended a memorial service for the dog.

“We’re very disappointed by this delay,” Operation Kindness executive director Jonnie England said. “It’s been exactly one year since Mercy was tortured and died, and we were so anxious for this trial to get underway on Monday.  Now we’ll have to wait even longer before we will, hopefully, see justice served.”

England said she has been contacted by hundreds of people, some from as far away as Houston, who were planning to attend the trial and be on hand to show their support for Mercy.  England herself has been called in the case.

Brown is scheduled to make an appearance in open court at a pretrial hearing on June 8.  His case is being tried in Criminal District Court No. 6 before Judge Jeanine Howard. 

Cutline: Bryan Mead with Toothacres Pet Care Center places Mercy’s ashes into the ground during last year’s memorial service for the abused dog.  An estimated crowd of 1,500 mourners attended the service at Operation Kindness.   

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