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Owner in jail after fire in pet store

Fire officials said sprinklers doused flames near puppies in a Las Vegas pet store allegedly set ablaze by its owner. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal/associated press

LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas pet shop owner who prosecutors say was seen on security cameras torching her store with 27 puppies inside was handcuffed and taken to jail Friday after a judge raised her bail by more than $250,000.

Animal rights advocates who held signs outside the courthouse hailed the determination by Justice of the Peace Janiece Marshall that defendant Gloria Eun Hye Lee is a danger to the community and a flight risk.

‘‘We’re elated she was remanded today,’’ said Gina Griesen, the head of the advocacy group Nevada Voters for Animals. ‘‘We’ll be following this case all the way through.’’

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The judge raised Lee’s bail amount from $40,000 to $310,000 two days after prosecutor Shanon Clowers filed additional charges and said Lee’s criminal record included felony and misdemeanors convictions that included a 2001 escape in California.

Firefighters rescued the puppies alive and credited fire sprinklers with dousing flames early Jan. 27 inside the Prince and Princess pet store.

Lee, 35, faces felony charges of arson, burglary, and conspiracy, plus 27 counts of attempted animal cruelty that could be tried as felonies or misdemeanors. A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 27.

‘‘To call her not a danger to the community is absolutely astonishing,’’ Clowers said. ‘‘Her and her boyfriend poured gasoline throughout the puppy store and lit it on fire.’’