Richard Allen Davis

Doused cats with gasoline and set them on fire – threw knives at dogs

Petaluma, CA

Oct. 1, 1993

 In October 1993, Richard Allen Davis, 38, abducted Polly Klaas (age 12) at knifepoint, from her home in Petaluma, California during a slumber party.

As a child he set cats on fire and threw knives at dogs.

He was never convicted of animal crimes. He was convicted and sentenced to death for killing Polly Klaas.

Davis was paroled from a prior kidnapping conviction only three months before kidnapping and murdering Polly Klaas. His other convictions included second-degree burglary, robbery and assault. He was finally sentenced to death on 9/26/96.

Reference:

Polly Klaas Foundation	CNN
Time Magazine	People Magazine
Associated Press	Court TV
The National Riffle Association	The Washington Times
Los Angeles Times	The Discovery Channel - The FBI Files