Kentucky man – A 37-year-old man in Louisville, Kentucky, was arrested after he allegedly set his wife’s dogs on fire and threatened to shoot her during a morning altercation tied to allegations of an affair. The dogs were taken for treatment as the man faces multiple charge
A morning argument in Louisville escalated quickly, turning into allegations of a handgun threat and a horrific act against two dogs—one believed to have emerged “covered in ash,” with burned fur and open wounds.
Bobby Atkinson, 37, was arrested after he allegedly set his wife’s dogs on fire and threatened to shoot her following a confrontation about his affair with another woman. The incident took place at the couple’s home on Thursday, May 21.
Atkinson’s wife told police that the fight began at home about another woman. After she confronted him, she claimed that Atkinson—while getting her children ready for school—got out a handgun. In an arrest citation viewed by the Louisville Courier Journal. the statement attributed to Atkinson says: “If we didn’t have a daughter together I’d shoot you and stand over you.” The citation also says Atkinson advanced toward her while holding the handgun to his side.
The wife then left the home with her children and tried to obtain an emergency protective order. She later learned from a friend that Atkinson was expecting a child with another woman, then returned to their home to retrieve her medication.
When she returned, she reportedly heard a smoke alarm and smelled something burning. One dog was found beneath a bed. The dog then emerged “covered in ash” and appeared to be suffering open wounds and had burned fur. according to WAVE. The woman later told police the dogs were covered in ash and appeared to have some sort of accelerant on their fur.
Both dogs were taken to Louisville Metro Animal Services for treatment. Their conditions are not currently known.
Atkinson was arrested around 3:40 p.m. on May 21, according to the Courier Journal. He has since been charged with two counts of torture of a dog or cat. two counts of second-degree cruelty to animals. one count of menacing. and one count of third-degree terroristic threatening. according to online jail records viewed by Us Weekly.
He attended his arraignment hearing on Friday, May 22, and pleaded not guilty. Bond was initially set at $20,000, though a judge later raised it to $50,000, per WAVE.
After the incident, Atkinson’s wife told WAVE she feared for her family’s safety.
The allegations have also drawn attention from advocates who focus on the links between violence toward people and violence toward animals. The Arrow Fund executive director Shelia Joneleit told the outlet that the allegations against Atkinson showed a correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence.
“When people set dogs on fire because they’re trying to make a point with their ex-spouse, it is pure terror,” Joneleit said. “It’s pure torture of the animal.”
The Louisville Metro Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
Bobby Atkinson Kentucky arrest Louisville dog cruelty domestic violence handgun threat animal torture cruelty charges protective order
Wow that’s disgusting. Why would someone do that to dogs??
So he threatened to shoot her over an affair and then burned the dogs… I mean people are crazy. But also like how does a handgun just show up in the morning with kids getting ready?
I read it as the dogs were like somehow burned during a fight, not necessarily on purpose, but the ash part sounds way worse. If they’re saying accelerant on the fur… that’s not an accident. Don’t quote me on this though, but Louisville news always leaves stuff out.
I don’t get it, if he was expecting a baby with someone else then why not just leave? Burning the dogs feels like he wanted attention, not even about protection or anything. Also the part about the ash and open wounds like… was he trying to cook them or what. Seems like everyone jumps to the shooting but dogs getting set on fire should be an automatic serious charge by itself.