College Student Now Charged With Felony for Pouring Boiling Water on Dog

Back in October, 20-year-old Kyle Voissem was charged with a misdemeanor after it was found he poured boiling water on his dog after it peed on the floor. Now, Voissem is in more hot water himself after the charges were recently upgraded to a felony.

The Chicago Tribune describes what happened to the dog, Byron, at the time:

According to prosecutors, the UIC senior was boiling water to make macaroni and cheese for dinner at his home in the 1700 block of South Desplaines Street in mid-October when he saw his dog urinate on the floor. He threw the boiling water at the pup, causing severe burns to the animal.

The dog was described in the Anti-Cruelty Society report as a 1 ½-year-old “mountain cur mix.”

The Daily Mail says Byron suffered "second-degree burns over 50 percent of its body and third-degree burns on its neck."

Voissem, a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago but from West Allis, WI, now faces felony animal cruelty charges. He was on the gymnastics team but dismissed after his arrest. Ironically, he's studying criminal justice.

The charges were reportedly upgraded due to the severity of the burns. Byron has since been adopted.