Puppy thrown, beaten, forced to swallow detergent
Austin, TX (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jun 1, 2008
County: Blanco
Disposition: Not Charged
Abuser names unreleased
A 3-month-old puppy that underwent severe abuse in Blanco in June is making a remarkable recovery.
Blanco Police found Phoenix, the Schnauzer-Chihuahua mix, in terrible shape inside a home after responding to two alleged burglaries. The only crime police could find committed was animal cruelty. Allegedly, the ex-boyfriend of Phoenix's owner broke into the home and abused the puppy to get back at her. Detergent was forced down the puppy's throat and he was thrown against a wall and kicked.
"For anybody to do something like this to a 8-week old puppy, it's just unimaginable," said Blanco Police detective Sgt. Carl Bragg.
At 8-weeks-old, the puppy was taken to a Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio. X-rays revealed severe head trauma, fluid in his stomach and an air pocket on one of his lungs that was potentially fatal.
The puppy had gone blind from the head trauma. When Phoenix first arrived, he was wobbly on his feet and constantly shaking.
"I call him Rocky, because he's a fighter," said Bragg.
Three months have made a huge difference in the puppy's life. The air pocket in his lung disappeared. Phoenix is full of energy and is running around like a normal puppy.
"He's surpassed our expectations," said his new owner Camron Barta.
Barta works at Lake Austin Boulevard Veterinary Hospital, where Phoenix was taken in July for further rehab. The puppy has regained his eyesight and seems to be on the way to a full recovery.
Police plan on presenting the case to a Blanco County grand jury next month. No arrests have been made. References« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
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