MANATEE -- A 28-year-old Bradenton man was arrested on animal cruelty charges after he ignored his dog for weeks while an infection on the animal’s face progressed to a point where the dog had to be euthanized.
Felix Joe Carrizales, who lives on the 1400 block of 45th Avenue Circle West, Bradenton, was arrested May 13, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s office records show Carrizales, who told deputies he is unemployed, posted a $1,000 bond and was released on May 14.
Even veteran animal services officials in Manatee County were shocked when they saw pictures of the dog, which had a gaping hole in its upper left lip due to tissue loss from the infection.
The male chow/Labrador retriever mix was named Bear. He was chained under a carport and whimpering and crying when deputies arrived on 45th Avenue West on May 13.
Deputies were told by Carrizales that he noticed a red mark on the dog’s face that began to worsen. But Carrizales told deputies he failed to take the dog to get medical treatment because he had no money, the report states.
Carrizales told deputies he was also scared if he took the dog for medical treatment that animal services personnel were going to judge him and he was afraid of getting arrested, according to the report.
After Carrizales’ arrest, Bear was transported to the county vet’s office where it was determined that a tumor in the dog’s mouth had caused the tissue loss, which would have taken months to progress to that point, according to reports.
The vet determined it was in the best interest of the dog to put it down due to the severity of the wound, the report states.
There were other dogs at the 45th Avenue West address, but they were not in a state of neglect and did not belong to Carrizales, but to his father, the report states.
Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.
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