LAS VEGAS — Gloria Lee, the Las Vegas pet shop owner accused of plotting of to burn down the Prince and Princess Puppy Boutique, has been taken into custody.
On Jan. 27, firefighters responded to the business located at 6870 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 14, and were able to put out the blaze and rescue 27 puppies that were trapped in cages.
The puppies all survived and are being held at the Lied Animal Shelter.
Arson was suspected and an investigation was conducted.
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Authorities said that the surveillance footage obtained during the course of their investigation shows Lee letting a man, later identified as Kirk Bills, into the business who is seen splashing kerosene on the cages.
She was also observed removing paperwork from the business.
Lee, 35, was arrested and a warrant has been issued for Bills’ arrest.
When she initially appeared in court, Lee was ordered to surrender her passport and placed on house arrest until her next court appearance in order to provide her attorney’s with enough time to review to review the bail motion.
That decision led to a public outcry by animal activists and an explosive scene in the courtroom with animal activists loudly protesting.
Although Nevada has a law known as the “Cooney’s Law, which allows for stricter sentencing guidelines in cases of animal cruelty, Nevada judges do not seem to think that animal cruelty is a true crime and generally sentence offenders to very light sentences which include community service at an animal shelter.
Since this case also includes first degree arson, fortunately it changes the scope of the case.
More charges were added and Lee now faces 31 counts of arson, burglary and cruelty to animal charges.
Bail for Gloria Lee has been increased to $320,000 and she was taken into custody Friday.
Police are still searching for Bills.