Deshawn Brown, whose dog died 10 days after she was stabbed, doused in gasoline and set on fire in April 2006, was convicted Thursday on animal cruelty charges.

Jurors reached the verdict on the same day closing arguments were presented. Mr. Brown, 22, faces up to 10 years in prison.

The dog, a pit-bull mix named Mercy by caregivers, died shortly after a plasma transfusion at a veterinary clinic where she was receiving treatment for her injuries.

Defense attorney Dan Wyde professed his client's innocence, declaring that no one saw Mr. Brown hurt the animal. But several witnesses said they saw Mr. Brown with a can of gasoline after the dog, which Mr. Brown called Brandy, was set on fire. One witness testified Tuesday that he saw Mr. Brown with a knife.

Ricky Vasquez testified Wednesday that he and a friend were sitting outside their Far North Dallas apartment complex when he heard the dog's cries and saw the animal ablaze.

He opened a beer and poured it on the dog – a 10-month-old pit pull mix – to put out the fire. He said a friend took off his shirt and used it to douse the flames.

Prosecutors David Alex and Terri Moore say Mr. Brown was angry because the dog would not breed.

Andrew Esparza, the alternate juror in the case, said before the verdict was rendered that he would have voted to convict Mr. Brown.

"It would be all the evidence together," he said, not any one thing that helped him make a decision. He said that the defense did not offer any testimony or evidence that made him doubt the state's case.

Mr. Esparza described the defense's case as "a lot of sleight of hand."