- Florida, USA -
On December 2, 2022, the Lee County Sheriff's Office Animal Cruelty Task Force launched an investigation after a dog was left at a Fort Myers veterinary hospital in poor condition.
The furbaby, a female Pitbull mix named Terra, was treated on October 25, 2022, for a fractured front left leg after being struck by a car. According to a news release by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, when Terra was treated, the veterinarian recommended further treatment or amputation of Terra's leg, but her guardian refused.
The sheriff’s office has identified Terra’s guardian as 19-years-old AISHA ARZUAGA (pictured).
The news release goes on to say that by November, ARZUAGA “had made numerous calls to local veterinarians stating Terra's wounds were bleeding.” When ARZUAGA was advised Terra needed surgery, she declined again.
On November 30, 2022, ARZUAGA took Terra back to the veterinarian and got into a verbal argument with staff, so she left the clinic leaving Terra behind.
Ultimately, ARZUAGA agreed to surrender Terra to Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
“Veterinarians noted Terra had been chewing through her bandages, and when the wrap was removed, there were open sores and her leg was completely dead. Terra's leg has since been amputated,” stated the release.
ARZUAGA was arrested on December 20, 2022, for aggravated animal cruelty.
Online records show she is being held on no bond in the Lee County Jail, or as Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno calls it, the “Marceno Motel.”
Sheriff Marceno said: “I will not tolerate the abuse of defenseless animals in Lee County. I know Terra will find a loving home, while her previous owner sits behind bars at the Marceno Motel.”
ARZUAGA is expected to appear in Lee County Circuit Court on January 23, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.
According to arrest records, ARZUAGA was arrested on September 29, 2022, by the Cape Coral Police Department on unrelated charges.
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