Hunt On For 'Monster' Abuser Of Family's Husky Dogs In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA – Authorities sought public help today to identify a "monster" who's repeatedly abused a North County family's two dogs by burning their skin with acid or a similar caustic liquid, gouging out one of their eyes and apparently trying to poison them.

The owners of the canines have reported four vandalism and animal-cruelty episodes taking place at their former home on Carino Way in Oceanside over the last several months, according to police.

"The victims have had their vehicle tires punctured three times, and their two Siberian huskies have suffered injuries twice," Lt. Valencia Saadat said.

During the most recent crime, which occurred last Friday, both dogs suffered "significant" injuries, including a badly damaged eye that later had to be surgically removed, the lieutenant said. They also may have ingested an as-yet-unidentified toxic substance, according to Saadat.

According to a GoFundMe.com page set up by the victims to seek financial aid to help pay their veterinary bills, their pets were burned by acid on their faces and bodies during a home invasion in late February and, two months earlier, were fed marijuana in an attempt to poison them.

"Someone broke into their home just to hurt the two huskies," the fundraising page stated. "The intruder gouged one of the dogs eyes and left it on the floor. The other dog was forced to drink some type of acid. Estrella and Cocayo thank god have survived but not without being traumatized."

The dogs, named Cocayo and Estrella, are recovering at a Humane Society facility and are expected to survive, Saadat said. Results of tests to determine what type of harmful substance they may have ingested last week were expected to be available in about 14 days.

A message on the fundraising web page states that the family thinks "the monster responsible may be a neighbor who (wanted) them to move out."

Following the latest home invasion and acts of animal cruelty, the victims did move away, Saadat said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Oceanside police at (760) 435-4900 or the department's anonymous tip line, (760) 435- 4730.

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