Animal Cruelty Case Horrifies Investigators

HOUSTON, TX -- Houston police and the Houston Humane Society are investigating a severe case of animal cruelty after a puppy was found in an abandoned home, covered in mange and open sores.

The Houston Humane Society received a tip online on Wednesday about the dog that was left alone in an abandoned house in the 200 block of Taranto in Northeast Houston.

The owners were nowhere to be found.

When an animal cruelty officer responded to the scene, they found the large puppy resting on a pile of dirty laundry.

The dog, which is believed to be a chocolate lab mix, was brought to the Houston Humane Society's Animal Wellness Clinic for care.

“This is one of the most horrific cases of neglect I’ve seen in a long time,” Monica Schmidt, spokesperson for the Houston Humane Society told KPRC-2. “It’s heartbreaking to see any animal hurt needlessly, and I cannot imagine how much pain and suffering she has endured already in her short life.”

The puppy, who is called Bella by her rescuers, has mange and is covered in open sores, and is also suffering from multiple types of intestinal parasites.

Whoever was responsible for the dog could face felony animal cruelty charges.

In Texas, there are laws protect animals from cruelty, which differ in the penalties they impose.

Domesticated animals, which are pets or livestock, are protected by criminal laws.

A list of felony animal cruelty offenses can be found at the SPCA of Texas and includes:

• Torturing an animal
• Failing to provide food, care or shelter
• Abandoning an animal
• Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner
• Killing, seriously injuring or poisoning an animal
• Causing an animal to fight with another
• Using a live animal as a lure in a dog race
• Tripping a horse
• Injuring an animal belonging to another person
• Seriously overworking an animal.

In September 2001, House Bill 653 and Senate Bill 1724, known as “Loco’s Law,” went into effect and made animal cruelty a felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Meanwhile, Schmidt said they are optimistic that Bella can make a full recovery.

We hope that she's gonna be able to be 100 percent cured of everything," said Schmidt. "And in the coming weeks, maybe months, that she'll be able to find a forever home."

If anyone has information, they are asked to contact the Houston Humane Society at 713-433-6421, by email at deputy@houstonhumane.org or online here.