“Charge Old Trails Fire Suspect With Cruelty to Animals too”: PETA Says Animals Lost Homes, Lives

For Immediate Release:
August 6, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Today, PETA sent a letter to Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam, urging him to add cruelty-to-animals charges to the first-degree arson charge filed against Aaron Farinacci in connection with the devastating Old Trails Fire, which has so far scorched more than 3,600 acres—home to countless animals of many species including birds, raccoons, opossums, deer, bears, tree frogs, and insects—and contributed to the destruction of more than 700 human homes and structures.

PETA points out that, in addition to destroying habitats, homes, and forcing evacuations, catastrophic fires inflict terror, injury, and death on countless wild and domestic animals. According to reports, at least three cats were killed in the Old Trails Fire, while a dog named Luna was left with painful burned paws after escaping a burning home in the nick of time. Many other animals were injured, displaced, or killed as the fire spread.

“As the Old Trails Fire tore through thousands of acres, an enormous number of terrified animals burned to death or fled in fear as their whole world went up in smoke,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is urging Prosecutor McCollam to hold the alleged perpetrator accountable for the immense suffering and death this fire inflicted on those who happened not to be born human.”

Prosecutors in California and Oregon have pursued cruelty-to-animals charges after PETA sent them similar requests, and won convictions. PETA reminds everyone to never leave animals behind during emergencies and offers tips to ensure the safety of all family members. 

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to McCollam follows.

August 6, 2026

The Honorable Preston McCollam

Spokane County Prosecutor

Via e-mail

Dear Mr. McCollam:

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that your office add cruelty-to-animals charges, as appropriate, to the arson charge that Aaron Farinacci already faces, in connection with the devastating Old Trails Fire near Spokane.

While it’s well known that the fire has scorched more than 3,600 acres of land and—combined with two other fires burning in the area—destroyed more than 700 homes and other structures, catastrophic fires like these also inflict terror and suffering on many domesticated and wild animals, causing them to experience severe injuries or prolonged, agonizing deaths. For example, at least three cats were killed in the Old Trails Fire, and a dog named Luna suffered burned paws.

RCW § 16.52.207 states that a person who “knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal” is guilty of cruelty to animals. Given that Farinacci is accused of knowingly and maliciously causing a wildfire that led to unnecessary suffering, pain, and death for animals, I respectfully ask that investigators and your office add cruelty-to-animals charges to the count he already faces. Prosecutors in California and Oregon pursued such charges in similar cases, resulting in convictions.

Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do.

Sincerely,

Sarah Deffinger

Senior Evidence Analyst

Cruelty Investigations Department