October 31, 2010
EMACIATED PIT BULL SEIZED, OWNER ARRESTED
An animal control officer discovered a severely emaciated pitbull chained in the backyard of a residence on the 4700 block of 19th Avenue.
The officer initially responded to the scene on Saturday evening in response to calls of a loose dog. When the officer arrived on the scene, the owners of the loose dog had already confined the dog within their residence.
The animal control officer entered the residence to confirm the confinement of the dog. Inside, the officer found three confined pitbulls, including the dog that had been at large.
Two of the three pitbulls inside the home appeared underweight, prompting concern from the animal control officer. The officer then heard a fourth dog in the backyard and went to investigate.
Chained in the backyard, the officer found a severely emaciated pitbull and immediately called for backup from the Yuma Police Department. YPD officers arrested the owner of the home on two felony and two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty*.
The emaciated pitbull, which was an adult male, weighed just 43.5 lbs. Adult pitbulls should weigh between 70 and 80 lbs. Given the condition of the dog, he was euthanized shortly after intake for humane reasons.
Animal control would like to remind the people of Yuma to please report any and all suspicions of animal cruelty to (928) 782-1621.
*Owner was arrested on scene for violations of A.R.S. 2910 A.1 (misdemeanor neglect), A.2 (misdemeanor failure to provide medical attention), A.8 ( Class 6 Felony cruel neglect), and A.9 ( Class 6 Felony cruel mistreatment ). |
