A Chihuahua that was tied with electrical wires and repeatedly kicked after going missing from his home in Santa Ana has been reunited with his family, and the man accused of abusing him has been arrested.
A witness reported seeing a man abusing a small dog behind a business on Sunday,
Santa Ana Police said in a news release.
Authorities found the suspect, Jose Manuel Pantoja, standing over the dog and he was immediately taken into custody. The dog was found with a bungee cord tied around his throat and chest and also had electrical wires around his legs, police said.
The dog had multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis, and was taken to Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic in Tustin.
Pantoja, 28, told officers the dog did not belong to him and that “it was just following him around,” police said.
Pantoja gave no reason for why he treated the dog badly. He was booked on suspicion of animal cruelty.
"He basically used the dog as a soccer ball," Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
Investigators eventually found the Chihuahua's owners, who told police the dog had escaped their yard after someone left the gate open.
The family had been looking for their beloved “Max,” who is 10 years old, throughout the night.
ktla.com
