Owner Whose Dog Died After Firework Exploded In Its Mouth At FL Home Arrested

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The owner of a dog that died after picking up a lit firework that exploded in its mouth was arrested Wednesday, according to a St. Petersburg Police Department arrest affidavit.

Yasha Davis, 37, was charged with cruelty to animals.

Several family members were setting off fireworks at her 8th Avenue S. home on July 3.

Witnesses said that Davis made multiple comments during the gathering about how her dog, a 5-year-old pitbull, chased after fireworks as if they were toys, according to the affidavit.

Despite knowing this, she didn’t keep the dog away from where the fireworks were being set off.

See Also:

• 2 Pleaded Guilty In MacDill Air Force Base Kickback Scheme: U.S. DOJ
• Tractor-Trailer Driver Left Scene Of Crash On I-75: FL Highway Patrol
• Man, Woman Arrested In Fatal Tampa-Area Stabbing: Hillsborough County Sheriff
• Giovanni Pelletier's Death: Video Footage, Updated Timeline Shared By Manatee Sheriff
• Man Sexually Battered Woman He Held Against Her Will: Hillsborough County Sheriff

While they were being set off, “the dog caught a firework in its mouth and died a cruel death by explosive,” the affidavit said.

Davis was previously investigated by animal control because of her treatment of animals in her care.

The most recent investigation began in September 2024 and resulted in 11 civil citations against her, the affidavit said. Most of the citations concerned the dogs in her care running at large because they weren’t secured in her yard.