Suspected Animal Abuse Arrest: First AHS Class 5 Felony Booking Since HB2671
Miso Receiving Care in AHS’ Trauma Hospital During Open Investigation.
On Monday, August 23, an Arizona Humane Society Animal Cruelty Investigator responded to a suspected case of animal cruelty in Phoenix involving a Pug, Miso. The dog was transported to AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ where x-rays revealed that he has two fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, fractured tooth, and bloodwork also revealed elevated liver values consistent with acute injuries. He will remain under the care of AHS’ trauma team indefinitely.
This case marks the first AHS animal abuse case booked as a Class 5 felony under the new HB2671, which went into effect on August 27, 2019. HB2671 strengthens Arizona’s animal cruelty laws to ensure that the punishment for the most heinous acts of animal cruelty now fit the crime. By increasing animal cruelty charges from a Class 6 to Class 5 felony, those cases can no longer be dropped to a misdemeanor and also include the possibility of jail time and supervised probation/treatment.
Miso is one of 7,121 cases of animal cruelty that AHS has responded to this year. Our immediate focus is on Miso’s medical needs and assisting law enforcement on the case. We will provide medical updates on Miso as they become available. For any questions regarding the case, please contact the Phoenix Police Department.
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