PETA wants animal cruelty charges for Springville brush fire suspect

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — PETA is asking the Utah County Attorney’s office to pursue cruelty-to-animals charges against the man who started a Springville wildfire.

In PETA’s letter to Utah County Attorney David Leavitt, they ask to add cruelty-to-animals charges against Cory Allan Martin, 26, who allegedly caused a wildfire in Springville after attempting to light a spider on fire on August 1.

“Although no humans lost their lives, the many wild animals who resided on the approximately 60 acres of land destroyed in the fire were undoubtedly less fortunate,” reads PETA’s letter. “Such catastrophic fires inflict terror and suffering on countless animals and cause them to endure prolonged, agonizing deaths.”

Police: Suspect arrested for causing Springville brush fire while trying to kill spider with lighter

While the letter acknowledges that Utah’s anti-cruelty laws do not protect the spider Martin attempted to burn, they argue that the animals in the area should be.

“Given that Martin is accused of recklessly causing a fast-burning wildfire that surely led to serious injuries and death for an untold number of animals, such conduct does not qualify as lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping practices that exempt wild animals from protection against cruelty,” continues PETA’s letter.

PETA cites two cases in California and Oregon that resulted in animal abuse conventions after the death of wildlife in human-caused wildfires.

Martin was booked for possession of marijuana, reckless burn that endangers human life, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.