DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A man accused of setting a puppy on fire saw his bond cut in half Friday.

The now $50,000 bond, though, is still much higher than Darius Ewing‘s family was hoping for.

“$100,000, then $50,000 – over killing a dog, over which they don’t have proof he did it,” said Ewing’s uncle Fred Ewing.

Animal advocates – who named the puppy ‘Justice’ – showed up in court, bearing signs and t-shirts with his name.

“I’m not disappointed in this. I think this is – $50,000 is still a high bond. I think it still sends a strong message about the nature of this crime,” said Jonnie England with the Metroplex Animal Coalition.

Ewing’s attorneys asked the judge to consider that the 18-year-old had voluntarily turned himself in and had no prior felonies in setting bond.

But, prosecutors argued that Ewing has failed to comply with a previous probation requirements and that his Facebook page links him to gangs.

Even if Ewing makes bond, the judge has ordered he be fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet and submitted to random drug testing.

Ewing’s family insists he is innocent.