Story By: Amanda Morales, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
These images show the horrific burns a poor dog suffered at the hands of its owner who allegedly threw boiling water on it and cut shapes into its skin with a knife.
The dog, named ‘El Apolo’, was rescued after residents reportedly heard it howling in pain in the city of Hermosillo in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora.
Reports state some witnesses saw its owner, named in reports as Jose Higinio N., “with a knife in one hand and the bleeding dog in the other”.
As can be seen in the images, the animal was found with severe burns on its back and it was taken to a veterinary hospital where two L-shaped cuts produced by a sharp weapon were found on its body.
The burns which covered its body are believed to have been caused by hot water and the suspect’s neighbours filed a complaint against him alongside the AC de Hermosillo Rescue Centre to the Specialised Public Ministry Agency.
A warrant was issued after the evidence was taken into account and the suspect has now been arrested on charges of animal abuse.
El Apolo is now being cared for at the veterinary hospital and has responded positively to treatment.
Animal abuse is classified as a severe crime in Sonora and can see penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of up to 32,000 MXN (1,126 GBP) for causing injuries that could endanger the life of an animal.
