Petition Seeks Justice for Pets Lost in Fire

An online petition urges the district attorney to add animal cruelty charges against the man accused of setting fire to a home Jan. 13 at 23 Countryside Road.

Two shih tzu dogs, siblings Emmie and Benji, were killed in the blaze. A cat named Grey was never found.

The home, owned by Bob and Kathy Benoit, was destroyed in the blaze. While the house was still smoldering, Joseph E. Mullen, 29, of 27 Stowe Rd., Grafton, was

But the family and their supporters want to add animal cruelty charges against Mullen.

Benoit is appearing before the grand jury Wednesday to make his case for adding animal cruelty charges to the case.

“They were my four-legged kids,’’ an emotional Benoit said last night. “They were trapped in a room, trying to escape, but they couldn’t. They didn’t do anything but give unconditional love.’’

The animals were his first thought when he got word at his company, The Print Centre in Needham, that his home was on fire.

Knowing that no one was in the home that time of day, he asked a neighbor to break in and rescue the pets. But the intense smoke and heat drove the man back.

Mullen apparently told police that he didn’t know there were animals at the home. But Benoit does not believe that.

He said that shi tzus were originally bred as guard dogs and always alerted the Benoits to visitors with their barking.

He said he continues to struggle with the loss. He keeps a copy of the poem, the Rainbow Bridge, on his desk at work. The poem, which talks of as bridge in the afterlife where pets wait faithfully for their owners to join them, gives him some comfort.

And so does the support he has received from family, friends and even total strangers.

He thanked them for their “kindness and support’’ and urged them to sign the petition.

“The outpouring of support has been incredible,’’ he said. “It’s the greatest thing.’’

The petition can be viewed here.