FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — A Fort Myers Beach man was arrested for setting an opossum on fire.
Deputies responded to the 11800 Block of Isle of Palms Dr., in Fort Myers Beach, around 8 p.m. on Jan. 28, after receiving a call from a man who witnessed the animal being set on fire.
Deputies found two men at the home and a distressed opossum in a metal trap.
The animal was still alive but suffering from significant burns, and was transported to a local area veterinary office for treatment.
A long string was tied to the metal trap that led to a staircase at the rear of the house. At the end of the string, in plain view, deputies found a bottle of acetone and a grill lighter.
With a warrant, the area was processed as a crime scene. Prints were pulled from the tin acetone can that belong to Bryan Werner, one of the men at the property.
Werner, 39, was arrested and is facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
