Headlines on Animal Cruelty in Puerto Rico

"Police abuse against pitbull"

Agent shoots dog in the mouth twice. Bullets lodged in skull..

13 Marzo 2011

6:00 a.m.

 Denuncian abuso policíaco contra pitbull

Agente estatal introduce arma en la boca del animal y dispara dos veces



According to the news, agents were executing an arrest warrent. While they have their suspect in custody the pitbull named Ali approached the subject and it is when one of the officers put his revolver in the canine's mouth and shot twice. They thought it was dead but the owner, Eldra Santiago Hernández,  rushed Ali to the vet where she was told that the bullets were lodged in the dog's skull, his nose was severly damaged and that the operation Ali had to go through would be very expensive. The dog can be blinded and deaf if not operated soon.   

http://www.elnuevodia.com/denuncianabusopoliciacocontrapitbull-912944.html

"Desperatly Looking for Max"
Irregularities during the placement process in animal shelter in Ponce 27 Febrero 2011 6:00 a.m.
“Buscando desesperadamente a Max”
Denuncian irregularidades en proceso de ubicación del albergue de animales de Ponce




According to the news, Mrs. Diana Babin had to leave for an emergency trip but did not want to leave her dog Max alone. She decided to take him to a shelter were the manager of this facility asured her that Max was going to be put in a K-9 Police team. Do to some isues she came back to get her dog and found out that the shelter did not have him and the K-9 Police team did not accept him because of the dogs age, this has been a difficult moment for Diana because she has no idea were her son, companion and family member is.

http://www.elnuevodia.com/buscandodesesperadamenteamax-900956.html


Impostor Veterinarian almost kills two pitbulls

viernes, 25 de febrero de 2011 03:17 p.m.
Wilma Maldonado Arrigoitía / Primera Hora
Falso veterinario casi mata a dos perros Pitbull en Arecibo



A man, who had habilitated his residence as a veterinary office, almost killed two pitbulls when performing sugery cropping their ears. It happens to be that the man was not a vet, but a nurse and had been practicing surgeries for years. Fortunately, the dogs where taken to a real veterinarian doctor and will not die but as you can see in the picture above were mutilated by this impersonator. Pet owners also have a resonsibility to check for credentials to avoid these situations.

http://www.primerahora.com/falsoveterinariocasimataadosperrospitbullenarecibo-478276.html


"Dog thrown from a third floor by students"
19 Febrero 2011
6:00 a.m.
Tiran perro desde tercer piso

Estudiantes de una escuela en San Sebastían alegadamente lanzaron al can


Students from a school in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico allegedly tossed a stray dog from the third floor. It came to the attention when teachers started calling the animal shelter and reporting what they have seen. Although the teens deny throwing the dog, some saw them saying "it's flying" while it fell. The dog suffered a hip and front paw injury. The cost of the intervention was estimated in $1,500 which the first veterinarian called to asist refused to do at a much lesser price. Another vet was called and he accepted to help this innocent dog.

There are studies that suggest a direct correlation between animal abusers and later on becoming violent against people.

http://www.elnuevodia.com/tiranperrodesdetercerpiso-895257.html


Could face up to 15 years in prison for dragging a horse
Enfrentaría hasta 15 años de cárcel por arrastrar yegua
jueves, 16 de septiembre de 2010
Leysa Caro González / Primera Hora




Lisa Embree, Horse Rescue Program of Puerto Rico, has been in charge of the care of the mare called Milagros, and is satisfied with her recovery. ( Primera Hora / Archive / Olimpo Ramos)
On February 7 of 2010 when a seven month old mare refused to walk, the owner decided to tie it to his truck and drag the animal through the streets. Neighbors saw this atrocity taking place, alerted the police and the perpetrator was caught in the act.

The twenty three year old owner, Geogie Lopez Vigo, set a precedent by being the first case of animal cruelty in Puerto Rico to reach the courthouse and was judged by 12 jurors and found guilty.

Update:

In November of 2010, Georgie Lopez was sentenced to 12 years in prison for such act of animal abuse.

http://www.primerahora.com/enfrentariahasta15anosdecarcelporarrastraryegua-420552.html

http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Mayagez-court-sets-stiff-penalty-for-cruelty