United Kingdom: Family's pet cat is 'tortured and completely mangled' after being held in a noose and killed with acid poison

UNITED KINGDOM -- A family's pet cat was strung up in a noose before having acid poured over her face in a sickening attack which meant she had to be put down.

Lucy Robson, from Paignton, Devon, said her 18-month-old cat Princess had been 'tortured and completely mangled' by thugs who also cut all her fur with scissors.

Ms Robson, 42, said her family had been traumatized by the sight of Princess's injuries, and have issued an appeal to try to catch those responsible.

Princess had vanished from the family home on July 14 but after desperate searches to find her proved unsuccessful they received a call to say that she had been taken to a vet in nearby Totnes.

But they were shocked when they saw the state their pet was in, and had no option but to have her put to sleep.

'We were not prepared for what we would find when we went to the vets,' she said. 'Our poor little baby girl had been tortured and barely resembled the beautiful cat we knew.

'Her face was completely mangled from some kind of acid poison which had eaten away at her face and mouth, preventing her from breathing properly.

'The fur around her poor neck had been worn down with abrasive marks where some form of noose had held her. Her ears were burnt and she had wounds in other places.

 

'Her bottom was red raw and the hair had been cut with scissors or some other implement down to the raw skin. Her liver and kidneys were failing and she couldn't bear her own weight.

'The vets tried to help her but her injuries were too sustained and letting her go was the only kind thing left for her.'

Ms Robson said the horror will stay with the family for a long time to come, and that they had suffered from nightmares following their ordeal.

She added: 'We can never 'unsee' these images of torture and such horrific cruelty that remain our last memories of her.

'Princess was the heart of our family and such a gentle loving and friendly cat. Her best friend was my six-year-old daughter who Princess slept many nights on the end of her bed to keep her from having nightmares.

'Now we all have nightmares.'

(Daily Mail - Aug 1, 2016)

$25K reward offered in the case of chemically burned dogs in Antelope Valley

CALIFORNIA -- Los Angeles County officials hope a $25,000 reward will help solve the mystery of who is chemically burning dogs in the Antelope Valley.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Tuesday Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s request to offer a $25,000 reward for information about the dogs that leads to the perpetrator.

A golden retriever and at least six pit bulls were found in the past year in Lancaster, Palmdale and Rosamond in Kern County with chemical burns. A golden retriever, named Fergus, suffered from third-degree burns on its neck and back was brought to the Lancaster animal shelter Aug. 11 and subsequently turned over to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles.

The Sheriff’s Department and the county Department of Animal Care and Control are investigating a number of incidents of suspected animal cruelty. Investigators are trying to determine if the injuries are accidental or are intentional crimes.

The reward offer is contingent on providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

“We hope that the reward will encourage someone that may have heard something to step forward with information that may lead us to the person who committed these really depraved acts of cruelty,” Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell said.

Sheriff’s officials encouraged members of the public to report similar acts of animal cruelty.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has offered a $2,500 reward in this case. A GoFundMe page has also raised $25,000 as of Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigator Rachel Montez-Kemp at L.A. County Animal Care and Control at 661-974-8096 or Deputy Daniel Gore at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at 661-940-3851 or 661-948-8466.

To provide information anonymously, call “Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus the tip to CRIMES (274637) or at http://lacrimestoppers.org.

(LA Daily News - Sept 1, 2015)

Earlier:

• Golden Retriever Recovering After Being Doused With Battery Acid, Left for Dead in Lancaster
• $25K reward approved in suspected animal cruelty case

$25K reward approved in suspected animal cruelty case

CALIFORNIA -- The Board of Supervisors approved a $25,000 reward Tuesday for information leading to the person or people who have been burning dogs with caustic chemicals in the Antelope Valley.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich initially said he would ask his colleagues to approve a $10,000 reward, but he announced last week he was increasing the reward amount to $25,000. That includes contributions from private sources, he said.

 

“By increasing this reward, we hope to encourage the public to come forward with any information that will help us identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for these depraved acts of cruelty,” Antonovich said.

The crimes against dogs came to light last month when a golden retriever was brought to a Lancaster animal shelter suffering from severe burns on its neck and back.

 

The dog, which has since been named “Fergus,” was brought to the shelter Aug. 11 and subsequently turned over to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles, where he is continuing to recover.

Doctors said they believe somebody poured battery acid or some other type of corrosive material on the dog.

Animal control officials said at least three other dogs had been found with similar injuries in recent weeks, and two of them had to be euthanized.

Help with Crissie’s medical care
The dog that survived is a pit bull that has been named “Crissie,” according to Doggy Smiles Rescue, the local rescue group that pulled the dog from the Lancaster animal shelter.

“Even in her obvious pain, she is so sweet and such a love bug! Crissie deserves a chance to receive the best medical care,” the group said on a fundraising page.

Doggy Smiles Rescue is seeking donations to help pay for Crissie’s medical care, which is estimated to cost around $5,000. To donate to this effort, visit http://www.gofundme.com/ns2uze68.

A Gofundme page established by the Golden Retriever Rescue Group to raise money for Fergus’ care has raised more than $25,000. An update on the page noted that officials in both Kern and Los Angeles counties are investigating the dog injuries, since at least two of the dogs brought to the Lancaster shelter apparently came from Kern County.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lancaster Station Detective Bureau at 661-948-8466

UPDATE: AT LEAST 7 REPORTED INCIDENTS
According to a news release issued Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, there have been at least seven reported incidents over the last year of dogs being found, or brought to local shelters, with what appears to be caustic chemical burns on their backs.

The dogs include one golden retriever and six pit bulls; and the injured dogs were located in various areas, including Lancaster, Palmdale and Rosamond, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

“Investigators have not yet been able to determine if the injuries sustained by the dogs are as a result of an intentional criminal act or some other cause.  They are working diligently with animal care professionals and chemical experts to determine the origin of the substance that is causing the injuries,” the LASD news release states. Read the full LASD news release here. View a related news release from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office here.

Anyone with information is asked to call LASD Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Detective Daniel Gore at (661) 940-3851 or (661) 948-8466, or the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at (661) 974-8096.

(The AV Times - September 1, 2015)

Earlier:

• Golden Retriever Recovering After Being Doused With Battery Acid, Left for Dead in Lancaster

Police arrest man, Ignacio Sanchez Alvarez, accused of pouring acid on his pit bull

TEXAS -- A man accused of pouring acid on Rosie, the 5-year-old pit bull, was arrested Tuesday.

Ignacio Sanchez Alvarez, 45, was taken into custody at the home where the dog was discovered on the Southeast Side, said Audra Houghton, Animal Care Services Field Operations Supervisor.

ACS reported she was found with chemical burns to 100 percent of her face towards the end of July.

Her right ear dissolved by a caustic liquid and her left ear partially consumed.

Ignacio Sanchez Alvarez

She was left with possible permanent blindness and had indications she may have gone several weeks with no medical care, officials said.

Alvarez faces a felony charge of cruelty to a non-livestock animal, Houghton said, adding he could face a misdemeanor for animal cruelty of failing to render adequate care.

"This is the suspect in a case we've been investigating for the last week and a half," Houghton said, adding that SAPD property crimes detectives assisted in acquiring an arrest warrant.

Alvarez was living at the home when the dog was discovered, she said.

Police said he attempted to flee when officers went to the home to arrest him.

Houghton said she did not have specifics as to how acid was poured on her face.

"I honestly don't know why he did it," Houghton said, noting the details would be most likely be revealed in court.

Alvarez was quiet as police walked him to a squad car at the East Side Police Station on Tuesday.

Houghton said surgery is planned to help Rosie regain her sight. Until then, she finds her way around by smell.

"We are really grateful for support everyone gave for Rosie, and hope the surgery is successful and she'll see again."

(MySanAntonio - Aug 25, 2015)

Golden Retriever Recovering After Being Doused With Battery Acid, Left for Dead in Lancaster

CALIFORNIA -- A young Golden Retriever nicknamed “Fergus” was making a remarkable recovery Tuesday after being found on a street in Lancaster suffering from severe burns down his entire back.

Members of the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue picked Fergus up at the shelter and brought him to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles for treatment, according to a post on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Fergus’ medical bills.

Veterinarians at the center believe someone poured battery acid down Fergus’ spine from his neck to his tail, leaving him with third-degree burns and the threat of infection.

“Unfortunately, we see these types of malicious injuries to dogs at times,” said Dr. Alan Schulman with the Animal Medical Center of Southern California.

 

As bad as his injuries appear now, Fergus has shown remarkable progress since the day he was rescued from the shelter.

“He had a huge seizure,” said Barbara Gale with Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. “I think at that point his body just shut down.”

It was expected to take months for Fergus’ injuries to completely heal.

Despite all he has suffered, Fergus was described as a happy and affectionate dog.

“I can’t imagine a human that had had this done to them and be that forgiving and loving,” Gale said.

Fergus will be available for adoption once he is healthy enough.

(KTLA - Aug 18, 2015)

Who could do this to an animal? Outrage and horror after over acid attack on dog

UNITED KINGDOM -- A family dog is expected to be left scarred after corrosive liquid was poured over its back in a horrific attack.

Fergie was left with horrendous burns after he was the subject of an animal cruelty attack sometime on Thursday evening in the Castlewellan Road area of Newcastle.

SDLP councillor Laura Devlin, who knows Fergie's owners, said the local community have been outraged since news of the sickening attack and people have been rallying round the family.

"I am shocked and appalled to hear about the investigation into animal cruelty in Newcastle," she said.

"The little dog, Fergie, received horrendous burns sometime on Thursday evening in Burren Meadow, Castlewellan Road, Newcastle – burns that could potentially have been life-threatening for the animal.

"Since the news of this incident broke the local community have been in uproar and are rallying around the family concerned. This is deeply disturbing and worrying for the whole area, but is in no way reflective of the community. Little Fergie is back at home with his family but likely to be scarred.

"I would appeal to anyone with any information in respect of this very heinous attack to contact local police immediately."

The attack comes after two men set a pet dog on fire in Co Antrim in 2012.

Three-year-old collie Cody had to be put to sleep after she was doused in accelerant and set alight in a quarry near Maghaberry, in a case that caused shockwaves across Northern Ireland.

Alliance Newcastle councillor Patrick Clarke condemned the attack on Fergie.

Dog Killer Shows No Remorse By Making Sick Joke

He said: "I am totally appalled by the recent case of animal cruelty in Newcastle, when a defenceless dog was subjected to a harmful liquid being poured over the animal resulting in burns to the dog's skin.

"The incident, which happened between 7pm and 9pm on Thursday, September 18, is an absolutely despicable and sickening act and form of animal cruelty which I totally and utterly condemn.

"Anyone who would carry out such a cruel and criminal act causing injuries to the dog has no regard for the animal's welfare and needs to be brought before the courts. I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the PSNI on the non-emergency number 101."

(Belfast Telegraph - Sept 22, 2014)

Oklahoma: Copy say Alexander Clay, 22, drowned two ducks in acid to get back at his mother

OKLAHOMA -- Alexander Clay, a 22-year-old Oklahoma man, has been jailed after he allegedly drowned two ducks in muriatic acid.

According to police, Clay was angry with his mother Sunday night when he decided to march down to a man-made pond located near the family's home and kidnap two ducks.

Investigators say Clay then submerged both ducks in a vat of muriatic acid until both ducks were dead.

When Clay's mother returned home and discovered what had happened, Clay informed her that he would have drowned her in muriatic acid if she would have been home when the ducks were killed.

The mother immediately called police.

Clay was booked into jail and charged with a felony count of animal cruelty.

(The Weekly Vice - July 29, 2013)