California: Shelby Lujan and her boyfriend Paul Souter, 25, facing charges in horrific scalding death of their 2 year-old dog

CALIFORNIA -- A Bay Area couple has been charged with felony animal abuse for allegedly scalding their 2-year-old dog and then waiting more than a week before seeking treatment.

The dog, a Poodle / Maltese mix (Maltipoo) named Sprocket, died shortly after he was brought into a veterinary clinic. The vet staff tried their best to save him, but it was too late. Investigators said the dog had third-degree burns on 40 percent of his body.

RIP little guy

The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA, assisted by police and the San Mateo district attorney's office, investigated the case that resulted in charges against Shelby Lujan and her boyfriend, Paul Souter.

The couple told investigators that they had accidentally spilled a cup of boiling water into Sprocket's crate. Lujan brought the dog into the clinic on May 1, saying he had been injured more than a week earlier.

An expert forensic veterinarian who assisted in the investigation said the pattern and severity of the injuries appears intentional and consistent with the dog being lowered or placed in a scalding liquid.

"The details of this case are horrific," said Ken White, president of Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.

Souter's booking photo in Oregon before
they shipped him down to California

"After the scalding, the poor dog endured days of horrendous suffering. We hope our investigation will provide the evidence needed to bring Sprocket justice, and ensure that his owners are unable to hurt any other animals."

Paul Joseph Souter, 25, is charged with felony counts of maliciously and intentionally wounding an animal and failing to provide proper care to an animal, according to Deputy District Attorney Al Serrato.

Souter’s girlfriend Shelby Lynne Lujan is 'only' charged with the second felony and is out on bail, Serrato said. Souter was arrested Aug. 21 in Bend, Oregon and will soon be extradited, Serrato said.

SOUTER WAS GIVEN A $100,000 BOND!

Lujan's pre-trial is October 6 and preliminary hearing October 10th.

The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA is a private, independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization for San Mateo. Its Humane Investigations Department, which is funded entirely by donations from individuals, led the investigation.

Click here to read the warrant information for Shelby Lujan
Click here to read the warrant information for Paul Souter

ARREST INFO FOR SHELBY LYNNE LUJAN:
Shelby Lynne Lujan
8XX Green Avenue, San Bruno CA 94066
I have photos of her from social media but I'm waiting until they release her booking photo so I can be sure it's the same "Shelby Lynne Lujan".


ARREST INFO FOR PAUL JOSEPH SOUTER:
Paul Joseph Souter
2XX Mitchell Loop, Bosque Farms, NM 87068
ARREST NUMBER: 152475
FIRST NAME: PAUL
LAST NAME: SOUTER
MIDDLE NAME: JOSEPH
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1991
CURRENT AGE: 25
BOOKING DATE: 8/21/2016 4:48:00 PM
HEIGHT: 6' 2"
WEIGHT: 230 lbs
HAIR COLOR: BRO
EYE COLOR: BRO
RACE: HISPANIC
SEX: MALE
ARRESTING AGENCY: OREGON STATE POLICE
ARREST DATE: 08/21/2016
CITY: Bend
STATE: Oregon
BOND: $100,000
CHARGE: OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT

PREVIOUS ARREST FOR PAUL SOUTER:
Paul Joseph Souter
Arrest date: 06/15/2016
Booking Location: Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Charges:

1. NO PROOF OF INSURANCE;STATUTE: 66-5-205B;BOND: $1250;NOTES: CASH/SURETY
2. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED (ARREST CLAUSE);STATUTE: 66-5-39
3. NO LICENSE PLATE/EXPIRED/DISPLAYED;STATUTE: 66-3-18(1)
4. SPEEDING (16-25 MPH OVER)/BUS/RESD AREA;STATUTE: 66-7-301A

(East Bay Times - Aug 30, 2016)