SAN ANTONIO – A puppy seen on a video being struck multiple times by its owner is now in “improved health,” according to the City of San Antonio’s Animal Care Services.
In a statement, ACS said the 3-month-old poodle is being cared for by an experienced foster after a judge granted ACS custody of the dog on Monday.
ACS said the legal proceedings are ongoing. The legal process must be finalized before a permanent home can be arranged for the dog.
“San Antonio Animal Care Services remains committed to ensuring not only the puppy’s well-being but the integrity of the investigation throughout the entirety of the legal process,” the statement reads.
>> Bexar County DA reacts to jail release of woman accused of hitting 3-month-old poodle multiple times
ACS urges individuals interested in assisting to consider supporting animals at the shelter.
“Whether through adoption, fostering, or donations, your support can provide a better future for a pet at-risk,” the statement says.
Video showed alleged dog abuse
San Antonio police arrested Havanna Miller, 23, earlier this month in the 12000 block of Culebra Road after a neighbor caught her on video allegedly hitting the poodle multiple times.
Miller was charged with animal cruelty torture, according to court records. She was later released on bond.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Miller told authorities she denied that anyone was hitting the dog.
A KSAT viewer shared a video of the incident, which appears to show Miller yelling and beating the puppy. According to the affidavit, Miller hit the dog at least 15 times while holding it, then struck the dog two more times after letting it go.
Geneva Story, an animal rescuer who works to rehabilitate traumatized dogs, said she was on the scene when ACS and San Antonio police arrived at the apartment to remove the dog from the home.
“It just made me very angry,” Story said.
She said she did not see the dog being abused in person, but said she saw the video that circulated online, which showed Miller allegedly striking the dog repeatedly on her apartment balcony.
Story said other people at the apartment complex claimed to have heard Miller’s dog yelping before the video went viral.
“There’s a lot of times where people are like, ‘I want to mind my business,’ but this is one of those situations you don’t want to mind your business,” Story said. “I feel like a lot of people see it’s a puppy and they just kind of turn the other cheek.”
“Knowing the mental fact that this puppy could have this trauma for its entire life angers me because it never had to know that life, especially as a baby,” Story said.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales shared his criticism in a public statement.
“I was just as horrified and outraged as others when I saw the video on the news of this defenseless puppy being beaten,” Gonzales said, in part. “Please rest assured that my office and I will do everything in our power to hold this person accountable for her actions.”
Gonzales also appeared to respond to criticism after Miller bonded out of jail.
“But please also understand that the law affords due process to anyone accused of a crime, even when dealing with the most serious offenders. With few exceptions, anyone accused of a violent crime is entitled to a bond,” Gonzales said, in part. “Although we recommended an appropriate bond amount, she was released from jail.”
Miller is scheduled for a pre-indictment hearing on March 25.
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