Soho Hotelier Avoids Prison After Trying To Light Dogs On Fire

SOHO, NY — A Soho hotelier who tried to light two dogs on fire avoided prison time on Tuesday after successfully completing the terms of a plea deal, prosecutors said.

Vikram Chatwal, founder of the upscale Dream Hotel Group, admitted last year to trying to attack two terriers outside of his Soho condominium.

Chatwal agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted aggravated animal cruelty and an animal cruelty violation in exchange for a sentence of five days of community service, along with other conditions, prosecutors said. Because Chatwal met the terms of the agreement, he was able to withdraw his guilty plea to the misdemeanor and only have the violation on his record. If Chatwal failed to fulfill the terms, he faced up to a year in jail.

In October 2016, Chatwal allegedly ran out of his home and tried to light two Jack Russell terriers on fire with a makeshift blow torch as they were being walked down the street. The dogs were singed but not seriously injured. Chatwal was arrested about 10 days after the attack.

In addition to the community service, Chatwal was ordered to complete extensive psychological and drug treatment, including random drug tests, the Manhattan district attorney's office said. Chatwal also has a five-year ban on keeping animals and must live with his parents.

In addition, Chatwal was ordered to pay about $1,000 in restitution to the ASPCA, which cared for the dogs after they were injured. The dogs were treated and released to their owner after the incident.

The plea deal was offered offered because of Chatwal's mental health history and lack of criminal history, as well as the witnesses' wishes, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. Chatwal's attorneys have said their client suffers from bipolar disorder.

"We're pleased that the DA's office realized all of the mitigating factors and is offering this disposition," Chatwal's attorney Arthur Aidala said last year.

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