Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Sweetpea continues to make significant improvements nearly a month after being violently abused by a Live Oak man in March. During Sweetpea’s recovery, she had been housed at a veterinary clinic in Oviedo and has been the subject of state and national news since Eric Ivan Roldan, who is accused of abusing Sweetpea, was arrested and charged. At the time of the incident, it was not clear what Sweetpea’s recovery would look like considering how severe the injuries were. “When we arrived, the puppy was still alive, and it was evident that her skull had been crushed in multiple places,” Krystal Detty with Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary said. Sweetpea was also suffering from brain damage and had lost her eye and was at risk of losing her other eye. She also suffered several other broken bones. Recently, Sweetpea had critical surgery to repair her skull, removing pieces of dead bone from her head and grafting the spots of concern. She also underwent several medical procedures to help with her quality of life. Since that time, Sweetpea has regained her movement, is eating on her own, and is on track to make a recovery, though it is likely she will have lifelong issues due to the injuries she sustained. Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary, the nonprofit animal sanctuary based in Branford, provided an update on Sweetpea’s recovery on Wednesday, April 16. “Sweetpea is doing good,” the sanctuary posted on social media. “[She is] eating and continuing to take her meds well.” The sancuary also noted that Sweetpea can now see out of her left eye. The sanctuary also said that she is currently on the right antibiotics, but will need several more procedures, including another culture and sensitivity, as well as an additional spinal tap to check for infection. Sweetpea will also be undergoing a CT scan at her neurologist. Recently, body camera footage from the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD) was released, showing Roldan being apprehended by Officer Mark Pierce at Pepe’s Laundromat on the day of his arrest. In the video, Roldan can be heard denying that he did anything to the puppy. It was also revealed in the camera footage that Roldan also had possession of two other dogs, along with three other puppies. In the footage, Officer Brandie Harden can be seen helping one of the larger dogs into the back of her police car. According to a police report, it was reported that prior to the incident, Roldan had been allegedly abusing the puppy over the course of the weekend prior to the Monday, March 31, incident. The witness who reported the incident said that Roldan had been staying at a homeless camp near Andra Davis Street from Friday, April 28, to Sunday, April 30. During that time, he would allegedly yell at Sweetpea to “shut up” and would hit her repeatedly with a rope. When the witness told him to stop, he allegedly told her, “My dog, I do to her what I want.” He would also reportedly tie her to a tree and would kick her whenever she would whimper. When the witness continued to confront Roldan, he would laugh at her. This prompted her to contact law enforcement, which led to an initial animal abuse investigation being opened by LOPD. During the initial report, the witness also told the officer that Roldan had also hit Sweetpea’s brother, identified in reports as “King,” with a cord several times. King and the other dogs that were located were reported to be doing well, and have been in the care of others. To stay updated on Sweetpea’s recovery, visit the Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary on Facebook. To donate toward Sweetpea’s recovery, visit their website at www.livinlikelarryfs.wordpress.com.