Overview
- Authorities say firefighters extinguished a shelter fire that investigators determined was intentionally started using a rock to break a window and an improvised incendiary device.
- Forty-eight-year-old Peter Taraba was located and arrested in downtown Berkeley on suspicion of arson and cruelty-to-animals counts and has been formally charged with felony arson, burglary, vandalism and related offenses.
- Berkeley Animal Care Services reported no animals were harmed in the incident, but the facility remains closed while officials assess damage and plan repairs.
- Taraba was arraigned at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse and is being held at Santa Rita Jail pending a future court date when he is expected to enter a plea.
- Prosecutors say alarm logs, scene evidence and surveillance footage were central to the investigation, and the case could affect local animal intake and services while the shelter is out of operation.