Former Owner Of Dog With 42-Pound Tumor's Arrested For Skipping Court: Police

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — An Irvine woman who allegedly abandoned her cancer-riddled dog, Henry, with a Newport Beach animal hospital then missed a court date to answer for four misdemeanors was arrested on Wednesday.

In December, Orange County prosecutors charged Sherri Haughton, 52, of Irvine, with four misdemeanor charges that could put her behind bars for two years: animal cruelty, animal abandonment, failing to care for an animal and interfering with an investigation.

She was in custody Thursday in lieu of $10,000 after her arrest on suspicion of not appearing in court as ordered to face criminal charges, police said.

Haughton was scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 13 in Orange County Superior Court on the charges stemming from Henry's condition, but she did not attend the hearing, and authorities issued a warrant for her arrest.

Authorities tried to contact her at her Newport Coast address but found she no longer lived there, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Newport Beach officers arrested Haughton around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in Irvine, police said. She was booked into the Women's Central Jail in Santa Ana.

Newport Beach animal control officers launched an investigation into Henry's situation after Haughton took him to an animal hospital with the tumor on his right side. It had increased his body weight and impeded his ability to walk.

"After a three-hour surgery, the 42-pound tumor was successfully removed from Henry's side," Newport Beach Police Information Officer Jennifer Manzella said over Facebook. "The vet and surgeon generously donated the majority of the surgery costs, only charging for 90 minutes of their time. The biopsy results showed it was cancerous, but non-metastatic, and the surgical team removed the entire mass."

Though Henry has developed another tumor, he is currently undergoing treatment and living in a foster home.

"He will live out the rest of his life in a loving home, surrounded by people who love him and his fellow rescue 'brothers and sisters,'" Manzella said. "We are so grateful for all of the positive thoughts, well-wishes, and support that Henry and our staff have received throughout his treatment. We also thank the District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in ensuring that Henry’s owner is held responsible for her actions."

Newport Beach Police Department photos