Phoenix police initially were investigating a call of domestic violence at the apartment near 19th and Peoria avenues about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when they saw the female Pit bull with a large, linked chain around its neck and attached to the door knob, the dog's head hanging to its chest and in distress, Officer James Holmes said.
The 2-year-old female bull mastiff (in later articles referred to as a pit bull) was hanging from a large chain link collar-and-leash, and appeared malnourished, with most of its bones visible under the skin, authorities said.
The tightly tied leash enabled only the dog’s hind feet to reach the ground. Its head was bent to its chest and had apparently urinated on itself, according to police.
Authorities said Wednesday the dog appeared to be recovering, although it was still listed in critical condition.
Corina Ann Martinez, 28, was arrested and booked on a felony count of animal cruelty. Police responded to her and her boyfriend’s apartment in the 10000 block of North 19th Avenue on a domestic violence call involving the two.
When authorities interviewed Martinez on Monday, she said the dog was not hers and that she was just watching the pet.
Martinez was interviewed again and was unable to tell officers how long the dog had been chained and hanging from the door or when it had last eaten, Holmes said.
Officers later determined the dog belonged to Martinez, that she made no attempts to care for the dog.
She said the dog was chained to the door because it was vicious and acknowledged that she knew the animal was in distress, police said.
Detectives said the 27-year-old boyfriend might also face animal-cruelty charges.
(AZ Central - Oct 2, 2013)
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