Dog starved to death while chained in backyard Labelle, FL (US) Incident Date: Friday, Dec 31, 1999 County: Hendry Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Diana Artaega

Case ID: 7293 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in FL (US) Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior Login to Watch this Case

Diana Artaega residing on Calhoun Street, Labelle has been charged with animal cruelty for starving to death her husband's dog to get revenge after they split up. The investigators say she kept the dog on a chain in her backyard and didn't feed it for days. The dog lost about 100 pounds, and was slowly starved until nothing was left but bones.

Artega said the dog was too aggressive and she couldn't feed it.

The neighbors said Artega and her husband split up and she abused his dog out of spite. One of the neighbors, Lois Castelucci, said "She did it to get revenge on her husband because she's mad at him."

Fonda Dawn, Hendry County Animal Services said, "She had an injunction on her husband and wouldn't let him on the property to care for the animal, but he's the legal owner of the animal so he should've contacted animal control."

The Hendry County Sheriff's Office is investigating the animal abuse as a criminal case. One of the neighbors, Lois Castelucci says "I think she should be arrested, or at least spend some time in jail."

If Artega is charged with a misdemeanor, she could only have to pay a $250 fine. If she is convicted of a felony, she could have a fine and some jail time.

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References

WBBH, Channel 2, Fort Myers, FL - Jan 6, 2000

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