For setting Harlem fire that killed 2 puppies, man gets 3 to 6 years in jail

A Harlem antheral convicted successful the decease of 2 puppies inside an flat helium intentionally acceptable ablaze was sentenced to 3 to six years successful authorities situation Thursday.

Wattie Folk, 55, was besides barred from owning an carnal for a decade, positive ordered to beryllium listed connected the New York City Animal Cruelty Registry, for the June 24, 2022, incidental astatine his Manhattan Supreme Court sentencing.

Folk pleaded blameworthy to arson and aggravated carnal cruelty past month, admitting helium lit a occurrence successful the chamber of his friend’s spot connected W. 112th St. aft an statement that turned carnal and past fled.

Trapped successful the inferno — that destroyed the flat and each of the tenant’s belongings — were a 3-year-old pit bull and six puppies, 2 of whom were killed.

The surviving, soot-covered pups required veterinary attraction for terrible dehydration, coughing and c monoxide exposure, according to tribunal records.

About a twelvemonth aft the incident, successful April 2023, Folk was arrested aft admitting to his actions to detectives astatine the 28th Precinct, according to tribunal records.

“I enactment a lucifer connected the heap of apparel and started the occurrence for revenge,” helium told detectives. “I knew that the dogs were wrong of the apartment. The doorway auto-locked down maine erstwhile I left.”

In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described Folk’s actions arsenic “reckless.”

“Today, Wattie Folk is facing accountability for intentionally mounting his friend’s flat connected fire,” Bragg said. “His reckless actions endangered tenants, destroyed property, killed 2 puppies and severely injured 5 dogs.

“Those who endanger the lives of radical and animals successful their homes volition beryllium held accountable.”

Reached for comment, Folk’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Society, Rebecca Heinsen, said his intelligence wellness struggles had played a important relation successful the incidental and that helium was grateful for the word handed down by State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro.

“There was outer mitigation presented regarding Mr. Folk’s aesculapian issues, trauma past and intelligence wellness history,” Heinsen said.

“He acknowledgment the tribunal for the condemnation helium received.”