Posted: Oct 02, 2013 9:24 AM PDT Updated: Oct 02, 2013 9:40 AM PDT
Corina Ann Martinez is facing a possible felony charge of animal cruelty after an emaciated and weakened dog was found hanging from a door knob with only its back legs touching the floor in an apartment. (Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)
PHOENIX (CBS5) -
A Phoenix woman is facing a possible felony charge of animal cruelty after an emaciated and weakened dog was found hanging from a door knob with only its back legs touching the floor in an apartment.
Phoenix police initially were investigating a call of domestic violence at the apartment near 19th and Peoria avenues about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when they saw the female Bullmastiff with a large, linked chain around its neck and attached to the door knob, the dog's head hanging to its chest and in distress, Officer James Holmes said.
Corina Ann Martinez, 28, originally told police she restrained the dog because it was vicious. She said she was watching the pet for someone else, Holmes said.
Officers said the pet appeared to be severely malnourished and bones were visible under the skin.
The approximately 2-year-old dog, named Ryder, was taken to an emergency animal clinic, where a veterinarian said the damage to the dog's organs might require it to be euthanized.
Ryder was then taken to the Arizona Humane Society, where the dog was in critical condition, but eating and slowly progressing, Holmes said.
Martinez was interviewed again on Monday and was unable to tell officers how long the dog had been chained and hanging from the door or when it had last eaten, Holmes said.
Officers later determined the dog belonged to Martinez, that she made no attempts to care for the dog.
She was arrested and booked into jail on the felony animal cruelty charge.
Holmes said the investigation was continuing.
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