Teen admits to setting cat on fire

By Amaris Elliott-Engel /The Citizen

Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:55 AM EDT

A teenager admitted this week in Onondaga County Court to tying a cat up, dousing it with gasoline and setting it on fire Dec. 20 at a trailer park in Elbridge.
Kyle D. Custer, 18, with a last known address of Lot 241 Champion Trailer Park, Elbridge, pleaded guilty to the class E felony of aggravated cruelty to an animal, according to Laura Fiorenza, the Onondaga County assistant district attorney handling the case.

Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi committed to sentencing Custer to the maximum sentence of two years in state prison, Fiorenza said. Custer is scheduled to be sentenced April 9.

According to authorities, the pet cat had been stolen from a home in the village of Elbridge before it was set on fire by Custer and his codefendant, Dustin Gauger, 20, with a last known address of 8338 W. Loop Road, Port Byron, at the Champion Trailer Park.

Authorities said the cat then ran under a car cover, causing the cover to catch fire.

The Elbridge Fire Department responded to a 911 call. The cat was discovered with severe burns after firefighters put out the fire. The cat died shortly afterward.

Custer still faces charges of second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child related to the allegation he had sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.

Gauger is due back in court Friday to face the animal cruelty charge and the charges of second-degree rape, second-degree sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child related to the allegation that he also had sexual relations with an unrelated 14-year-old girl.

Gauger recently was sentenced in Cayuga County Court to one to three years in state prison and $900 restitution for the felony of third-degree burglary.

In that case, Gauger was an accessory to a burglary by driving codefendant, Anthony Giannantonio, to burglarize a Weedsport business twice on May 6.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net

The Citizens' Say

There are 19 comment(s)

cleareyes wrote on Mar 23, 2007 10:56 AM:

" In response to "Thru my eyes" if these "kids" who are both twenty were 10 years old then helping them with whatever treatment is available might be a reasonable option. They are twenty and obviously no strangers to the criminal system. Now the goal should be to keep them away from law abiding society for as long as possible. "

dear"very annoyed" wrote on Mar 23, 2007 10:34 AM:

" you blow my mind literally... did u even read the article?? a mistake is made once... maybe even twice but this many times breaking the law give me a break... this article is an article that will be printed again when the boys end up murdering a human being or many human beings... and then everyone will wonder.. "how did we not see this coming..." good people deserve second chances not future serial killers u idiot... open your eyes.. and see the signs... and if you cant do that think about how your going to feel 10 yrs down the road when the boys going on some killing spree and u sat here and defended them.. saying "they just made mistakes..." i know one of these boys and every since i can remember he's been getting into trouble things like this just dont "happen" they continue to "happen" and its not gonna stop... but good lookin out u moron. "

meiow wrote on Mar 23, 2007 9:26 AM:

" WOW UR SOO SICK Y WOULD U DO THAT TO A ANIMAL!!!!!!??????? "

Rape and other sick crimes wrote on Mar 23, 2007 8:09 AM:

" It doesn't matter if the 14-year-old "consented" -- she is not "of the age of consent" -- which means she is not old enough to make responsible decisions about sex and therefore having sex with her is rape even if she wanted it. Both crimes are horrible, there was lots of serious harm done, the crimes perpetrated by these two sick young men show a pattern -- these two need to be locked up, examined and have it determined if they can be helped or if they should just stay behind bars for good. People are quite right that serial killers and other sociopaths often start out harming animals, then move on to children (i.e. a 14-year-old) before continuing on to ever greater crimes. I think the story about the cat was emphasized because it is the NEW story -- the story of the rape must have already been reported previously and shows up here again because it is in relation to the new crime. Oh, and don't miss the burglary in there as well. You have young men with serious criminal rap sheets and they are only 18 and 19 years old. Bad criminals, sick ones too, at that age -- they may never be able to develop the basic human social skills to live among normal people and might better be kept locked up permanently. "

very annoyed wrote on Mar 23, 2007 7:30 AM:

" listen up "one sick puppy" leave the parents out of this...why do people always blame the parents? you could be the perfect parent and this could happen!!! And for you to say, "I wish the same would happen to him" How cruel. He is still a child!!! The problem is people like you. No positive reinforcement from the community, right? Yeah, that's gonna help him, right? So, when he gets out, and people like you make snide remarks to him or haven't forgave him, he can do it again, right? I beleive with love and support , it helps a person get better mentally. Not all, but some!!! People like you need to find it in their hearts to be a little more forgiving instead of being so full of hostility and rage. I am not saying that what he did was not wrong, but I feel that poeple can make mistakes that they regret the second it happens. But once it is done, there's no turning back. We should try to help the younger generation. Maybe you should join a "big brother/big sister" program. Maybe you could make a difference... "

St. Louis Arch wrote on Mar 23, 2007 4:18 AM:

" I am known to many as the Gateway to the West. You may be headed to a Gateway for a Serial Killer. What's your IQ anyway? Do you put 100K miles on a vehicle annually? "

Brew wrote on Mar 23, 2007 1:51 AM:

" Another chance for an Auburn judge to give a light sentence to a degenerate criminal. Just watch for the trial or plea bargain. This kid won't even see a year in jail. Keep electing these soft judges and keep Auburn the hotbed of crime it is. "

one sick puppy wrote on Mar 22, 2007 8:31 PM:

" Lock up this kid or it could be your own child next. Probley was the up bringing. No supervision I'm sure. The kid is sick with no humane feeling. I wish the same happened to him. The cat would of contributed more to the community than he ever will. "

annoyed wrote on Mar 22, 2007 8:18 PM:

" I am not writing this to disrespect anyone, but sometimes things are not as they appear. Do you know for sure that the 14 year old girl was raped? Or did she have sex with the boys and her parents had them arrested for statutory rape? I know plenty of males that thats happened to. I am not saying that it makes it ok if she said yes, but please don't make it sound like they tore her clothes off, held her down and had sex with her against her will if that's not the way it happened. Look at from all sides. As far as the cat goes, I hate cats alot, but even I thought that was cruel. And I hope that those 2 young men get the help that they need. "

Normal wrote on Mar 22, 2007 6:51 PM:

" For any person to disregard this violent act against the girl, over the cat (which Is just plain heart wrenching)is outrageous.. She is the one who has to live with it the rest of her life, and deal with it.. and it is extremely unfortunate the cat cross the path of this very sick individual. I don't care how old the person (kid) was, he needs to locked up with the key thrown away.. Or else we will have another Serial killer on our hands. And to Thru my eyes... Why don't you take the kid in, and see how much he appreciates your help... And let's see how fast you get him the hell out of your house too... "

RU BLIND?!? wrote on Mar 22, 2007 4:57 PM:

" All this outrage about a cat and not a word about the 14 year old who was raped. Amazing! "

Have you gone mad wrote on Mar 22, 2007 4:30 PM:

" Nothing better to do, we shouldnt prosecute them. That is the worst statement that could be stated they should proscute people like that. This kid could end doing this to humans with your point of view. What are you thinking Thru My Eyes? "

Dear Thru My Eyes wrote on Mar 22, 2007 2:21 PM:

" I sincerely hope your post was some type of joke. If not, I strongly suggest you be the one to go get some HELP! "

RE: Thru my eyes wrote on Mar 22, 2007 1:29 PM:

" "These are just kids with nothing better to do"??? Are you kidding me? I can name many thing's for a kid to do that does not involve stealing a cat, tying it up and setting it on fire! That is disgusting and a sign of what is to become of that individual.. Most, if not all, serial killers begin as children harming animals.. He needs more than the State Pen, he needs a visit to a phyc ward someplace, far away from here! Gross! And that poor cat.. Makes me want to cry :( "

Disgrace to all wrote on Mar 22, 2007 1:07 PM:

" to whom wrote....no serious harm was done........WHAT do you call what was done? what if it was your cat? Think before you speak (in this case, write). You dont set a good example for our youths. "

Mad As H$%ll wrote on Mar 22, 2007 12:31 PM:

" Perhaps we should put some gas on his genitals and see how amusing that is for him, what a sick individual he is. I just happen to have a match!!! "

hmmm wrote on Mar 22, 2007 12:26 PM:

" OMG what is this world coming to ,What the heck is wrong with people,maybe punishment should be to set him on fire to see what it feels like,Disgrace "

Thru my eyes wrote on Mar 22, 2007 12:18 PM:

" These are just young kids with nothing better to do. We should help them not prosecute them.After all, no serious harm was done right? "

Glad IM outta There wrote on Mar 22, 2007 12:10 PM:

" What is wrong with this "kid". All I can say is he needs help before he moves onto humans. "

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