Fidel Manzano Jr. arrested after beating his puppy for two hours

CALIFORNIA -- A Kingsburg man was arrested on charges of animal cruelty after allegedly beating on his pet puppy for two hours. The man has since been released and the dog has since received veterinary care and taken to the Fresno SPCA.

Fidel Manzano Jr. was arrest Dec. 6 for viciously beating his puppy, Chokaly, a mixed breed estimated to be 7 months to 1 year old, according to a Kingsburg Police press release.

Chokaly was reportedly crying and making noise early Sunday morning around 2 a.m. when Manzano arrived home intoxicated.

Manzano was reported to have beaten the 15-pound dog and “threw him several times against a washing machine located in a garage,” according to the press release.

Manzano was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of cruelty to animals. Chokaly suffered a broken jaw, severe soft tissue damage to the hind legs, numerous contusions and abrasions and a swollen brain. Other family members initially took the puppy to a veterinarian for care.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officers and Kingsburg Police conducted a check on Chokaly. The dog is recovering, however it was taken into protective custody by the SPCA as Manzano Jr. resides in close proximity to family members caring for the dog.

“The animal was lawfully seized and taken to the Central California SPCA. The SPCA will continue with the abuse investigation and Kingsburg Police will be documenting and investigating the possible violation of release conditions,” reported a press release from Kingsburg Police Chief Neil Dadian.

“I want to reemphasize that other family members - different than the ones involved in the original incident - were looking after Chokaly. However, out of an abundance of caution, Chokaly was temporarily removed,” Dadian said.

Anyone with further information may call the Kingsburg Police Department, 897-2931.

(Hanford Sentinel - Dec 23, 2015)