 Beating, suffocating and torturing dog
Los Angeles, CA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 9, 2003
County: Los Angeles
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Magnolia Arriaga
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The L.A. City Attorney's Office today filed criminal charges against dog owner Magnolia or "Maggie" Arriaga for torturing her little white Maltese dog "Duncan" to death. The tiny pure-breed dog, which had been beaten and buried under two large 5-gallon plastic buckets, had been left to die at Ms. Arriaga's Sylmar home.
On July 9, 2003, Arriaga's neighbors report they heard the dog crying and observed Ms. Arriaga "place a small white dog in a bucket and place another bucket on top of the dog. As the dog tried to escape, Arriaga stacked an additional bucket on top of that dog� Arriaga did not return to release the struggling dog."
The call came into the East Valley Shelter as "a dog in distress." Animal Control Officer Poblano responded to the call on De Garmo Street in Sylmar. No one was home. The Officer met with witnesses who told him where the bucket was located. He immediately entered the rear yard of Arriaga's home and observed three stacked 5-gallon plastic buckets. The officerremoved the buckets and found the little white Maltese in the third bucket. It was still tethered, with a black nylon leash, to a lawnmower that was next to the buckets. It was dead.
According to Medical Reports from the attending City Veterinarian and Mc Clave Veterinary Hospital, "Duncan," a small white Maltese "suffered a very cruel and inhumane death, due to negligence and trauma," and that "he appeared to be cruelly beaten and overheated to the point of death." Medical evaluation further found that he had a dislocated shoulder and severe multiple bruised areas.
The report states: "Dark red and purple bruising was found inside the groin area � an indication of asphyxiation. Bruising was also found on the side of this body wall, indicating some form of trauma. Dirt was found inside the dog's mouth, indicating a struggle before he died. One of the dog's shoulders was dislocated and loose from its socket. "
Witnesses corroborate the findings, stating that they had seen Arriaga beat the animal numerous times. In May 2003, neighbors say they observed Arriaga beating the dog with a leash while she hung the dog off the ground. She then tied the dog outside in the heat and went back into her house. They also allege that in June 2003, they saw the pure-breed Maltese hanging by its neck, "twirling" in the air. Neighbors say they approached Arriaga and told her to release the dog, which she did. Neighbors stated that they had, more than once, seen the dog tied in the sun with no shelter or water.
"Maggie" Arriaga will be charged with one count of animal cruelty. She is scheduled to be arraigned on December 12, 2003 in Van Nuys Superior Court, Division 101. If found guilty, she can face a maximum fine of $20,000 and one year in jail. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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