Under terms of the plea agreement, Luis Perez, 60, of the 3600 block of Brooklyn Ave., will be sentenced to one year and 183 days in prison, less time served. He also will have to pay $402.35 to Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control.
The court could order Perez to pay restitution to the dog's owner. The court will take the plea under advisement and Perez will be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. May 12 in Judge Fran Gull's court.
Perez was arrested by police Jan. 15. Fort Wayne Police got involved after Perez's wife called and reported that the dog had been beaten. Police provided this account in a probable-cause affidavit:
Geela, a 5-year-old Maltese-Yorkshire terrier mix that weighed about 4 pounds, belonged to the woman, who said Geela was a therapy dog that helped her cope with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The woman told police Perez had chased the dog in anger but hadn't been able to catch it. She left their home after arguing with her husband, and when she returned a couple of hours later, her argument with her husband resumed, and she could not find the dog. Her husband left the home before police arrived.
She found her tiny dog in the bathtub. Geela was still alive, but barely, was covered in blood and excrement and unable to move. She saw a large, swollen, purple area on the dog's head. She also saw that its right front leg was broken and askew in two places.
Police officers found Perez elsewhere in the apartment building. While he was being taken to the detective bureau for questioning, Perez told police that "she loves the dog more than me" and "I should have killed that dog," according to their report.
Animal Care and Control officers took the dog to an emergency animal hospital where the dog was euthanized due to its severe injuries.
(News Sentinel - Apr 16, 2016)
Earlier:
Thank you, so much for blogging this story concerning my tiny, loving, service companion, Geela". When I was not able to leave my home without a little nudge she helped me to get out and get things done. When I couldn't settle my spirit couldn't even get out of bed, she stilled my spirit. She was my loving support; she gave me the strength to move through the pain of Fibromyalgia and especially difficult days of PTSD. I love and miss her deeply. I may not be able to enjoy my 3 lb tiny, warm, and happy caregiver, but she will alway be with me because Love never dies.
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