Chesco Man Jailed For Abusing Dog Found With Missing Leg, Injured Eye

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County man will spend up to five years in prison for abusing a dog, authorities said.

Curtis Bacon, 34, of Coatesville, pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals last week.

Bacon was sentenced to 13 to 60 months in prison and was ordered to pay restitution to the SPCA for the veterinary care of Ava, the dog he abused, and is prohibited from possessing animals or pets in the future.

On Dec. 15, 2023, South Coatesville Police Department officers and an officer of the Brandywine Valley SPCA Animal Protective Services Unit got a search warrant to check the well-being of Ava after a tip that Bacon was abusing the dog.

Officers found Ava malnourished and withdrawn.

She was missing her back right leg and her left eye was injured.

Authorities rushed Ava to Veterinary Referral Center Malvern, where doctors found that she had numerous injuries, including a traumatic amputation of her lower leg. Ava also sustained multiple other fractures that healed in abnormal positions and was severely emaciated.

Miraculously, Ava survived and is now doing well.

A volunteer for the Brandywine Valley SPCA took in Ava to foster her through both treatment and recovery. She was later adopted and now walks the streets of West Chester Borough with her new owners.

"Thanks to the combined efforts of Brandywine Valley SPCA and the prosecutors in this case, we were able to ensure that the person responsible for torturing a helpless dog was brought to justice," Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said.

"We are grateful to our Humane Law Officers and the entire team at the Chester County DA’s office who have been able to get justice for Ava and ensure no other animals suffer at the hands of her abuser," Adam Lamb, BVSPCA’s Chief Executive Officer, said. "It’s a miracle Ava survived with the type of injuries she sustained, and sickening to think about the trauma she endured, but we are glad that life of abuse is behind her, and she has a full life ahead of her in a loving home."