Geraldine Hoffman, 76, has been cited for alleged improper care of animals, a misdemeanor in Colorado.
The 3-year old dog, Jackie, was allegedly beaten with an ax by his owner when she came home to find the dog had destroyed three new pairs of shoes, some new clothing and a mattress.
Hoffman said she grabbed Jackie and took him to her backyard, where she hit him with the head of an axe. She said she didn't intend to injure the dog.
She said she thought the dog was jealous because a friend gave her a new dog and she started a new job and was gone all day. "It just got me when I came in, and all the new stuff was ruined, especially when you don't have the money to buy it again."
"I didn't think I'd hurt it; I just thought I'd teach it a lesson."
The incident with Jackie was reported by a neighbor and an officer came to her home. When the officer arrived about 7:00 p.m., Hoffman said she was getting ready to bury the dog. She said, "I thought he was dead, but he was very much alive."
Officials think the dog must have been unconscious. The officer took the dog which had head and abdominal injuries to Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The executive director of the Larimer Humane Society said the miniature poodle-mix is stable and responding to treatment. He allows people to touch him and is no longer in shock.
Hoffman said people who know her knows she takes care of her animals. She said she walked Jackie three times a day.
The Humane Society hopes to get custody of Jackie and put him up for adoption to a new home.
Officials condemned her home and made her move out to live with a friend until it was cleaner.
The Humane Society and Larimer County Sheriff's Department visited Hoffman's farm and said living conditions were not suitable for Hoffman's other animals: three dogs, one emu, 16 goats, three peahens and one peacock.
The dogs, a beagle, a lab/terrier mix and a miniature schnauzer, have been impounded. The other barnyard animals are being cared for at Hoffman's farm until they can decide what to do with them.
Her friend, Steve, said he believes Hoffman is "a good lady. She just had too much stress - too many things going on."
Steve and several other friends of Hoffman have started to clean up her farm. Steve said, "It might not look good out here, but she takes care of her animals." Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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