Animal Neglect in East Lubbock
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: January 29, 2009
Yet another devastating case of animal cruelty uncovered in an east Lubbock neighborhood. Three pit bulls left outside without care, for what Animal Services estimate as several months. The dogs are obviously suffering from malnutrition and starvation, and the owner responsible for their condition could face serious jail time.
Amanda Hernandez, witnessed animal cruelty: "Saturday my daughter came out here to throw out the garbage. She said mom, these dogs are real skinny."
That was Saturday. By Wednesday, Amanda Hernandez's daughter discovered the dogs in even worse condition.
Hernandez: "She came in screaming one of the dogs was dead and the other two were eating at it."
Hernandez says the three pit bulls in her neighbor's yard haven't been taken care of for months. No food... No water... Barely any shelter.
Hernandez: "There is no reason for someone to do this to animals. Regardless of your handicap, elderly, there's no reason."
Animal Services officials say after initial investigations, it was most likely mere desperation for the two living dogs to feed off the dead one's body. They say the two pits have otherwise shown no signs of aggressiveness.
Kevin Overstreet, Lubbock Animal Services: "Dogs don't normally do that unless they're hungry. And these dogs did have an owner. And unfortunately for him, we're going to be doing a criminal investigation and we'll see where it winds up."
Extreme cases of animal cruelty like this one is a felony offense. Overstreet says it's very likely the owner will face serious jail time.
Overstreet: "This certainly goes along with being a responsible pet owner. Not only do you need to keep them in a secure environment, you need to feed them, you need to water them, every single day."
As Animal Services tries to bring these two back to health, the horrible memory of such cruel animal treatment still lingers for Hernandez and her family.
Hernandez: "It doesn't happen so close to home. When it did it hurt me and my daughter. She cried about it."
The animals are currently with Animal Services and are undergoing veterinary care. Overstreet tells us they're hoping to connect with a local rescue that will take them in and hopefully find a new family for both.
