Dunedin man charged in dogs' fiery deaths

An investigator checks the scene of the January fire where John A. Paulette III was injured and two were dogs killed after authorities say he set his SUV on fire. [JIM DAMASKE | Times]

A Dunedin man has been arrested on charges of cruelty to animals in connection with a Jan. 24 incident in which deputies say he showed up at his estranged girlfriend's Indian Rocks Beach home and set his SUV on fire with two dogs inside.

The two Labrador retrievers, Honey and Sweetie, died as a result of injuries in the blaze.

Deputies said John A. Paulette III, 41, of 2535 Marquis Drive, left, put the dogs and four propane tanks in his Ford Explorer and drove to his girlfriend's home.

As Pinellas County sheriff's deputies tried to stop him, Paulette set the sport utility vehicle ablaze, then got out of the vehicle and closed the door, locking the dogs inside, officials said. Sheriff's officials said he started the fire to get back at the woman.

Paulette, who was treated for burns at Tampa General Hospital, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail late Wednesday. He is being held without bail because he also is accused of violating his probation on previous charges of possession of a controlled substance and trafficking in GHB.

Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

One of the two dogs injured in the fire. Both eventually died from their injuries. [SPCA of Tampa Bay]