Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
A severe case of animal cruelty leaving a puppy fighting for its life in an Orlando-area hospital resulted in the arrest of a Live Oak man on Monday, March 31. The extent of the injuries to the 10-week-old puppy are so severe that, when she recovers, she is expected to experience lifelong impacts on her quality of life.
According to a press release from the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD), on Monday, March 31, officers responded to an animal abuse call at approximately 4:48 p.m. in the area of Andra Davis Street and Rogers Street. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a woman who held a 10-week-old puppy in her arms. The puppy was a brown, mixed-breed female weighing around 10 pounds.
Officers noted that the puppy had several cuts around her ear, swollen eyes, and blood coming from her nose and ears. Officers later transported the woman and the puppy to a local veterinarian, where she was assessed, treated and determined to have a skull fracture and severe swelling around the head and skull.
The report states the injuries were the result of multiple blunt force blows to the puppy’s head and body. Krystal Detty, who runs the non-profit Livin' Like Larry Farm Sanctuary in Branford, received a call from LOPD Captain Jason Rountree, who relayed information about the animal. "Captain Rountree called me saying that he had a critical dog at the veterinary clinic with its head stomped on by a guy who ran from police," Detty said. "When we arrived, the puppy was still alive, and it was evident that her skull had been crushed in multiple places."
According to the press release, the witness identified 45-year-old Eric Ivan Roldan as the one responsible for inflicting the injuries the puppy sustained. According to the witness, Roldan wrapped the puppy in a blanket and then simultaneously kicked, stomped and slammed the puppy against the ground. Detty added that the incident had begun with Roldan slamming the puppy against a wall and had concealed the puppy in a towel and bag before continuing the abuse.
Roldan was eventually located and questioned about the incident, which led to him being arrested on animal cruelty charges.
When Detty took custody of the injured puppy, she named her "Sweetpea" and began efforts to save her life. Detty, who is a former veterinarian technician, noted that when observing the injuries Sweetpea had, she was surprised that the puppy was still alive. "I have never seen a dog with these injuries still alive," she said.
Detty was able to get help from a veterinarian friend in Central Florida who owns a clinic. Sweetpea has been recuperating at the facility since then, as Detty and Livin' Like Larry Farm Sanctuary have been raising funds to help cover the anticipated expenses that Sweetpea's recovery will incur. "The expenses are going to be significant," Detty said. "We expect it to be over $7,000 or more."
It is expected that, when Sweetpea recovers, she will lose her eyesight. "She has lost one eye already due to the injuries," Detty said. "She may lose the other eye if her injuries worsen." Detty also said that Sweetpea had been severely disfigured, making it difficult to determine what breed of dog she was.
Detty anticipates Sweetpea incurring some form of brain damage from the injuries, noting that the dog's broken skull may have saved her life. "A piece of skull broke off from her cranium, and likely saved her from further severe damage because of the brain swelling," Detty said. "If the brain had swollen while enclosed, it could have caused further, irreparable damage."
It is expected that Sweetpea will not be eligible for adoption after her recovery, likely becoming a lifelong resident of the Livin' Like Larry Farm Sanctuary. For now, Detty is taking Sweetpea's recovery day-by-day.
Roldan continues to remain at the Suwannee County Jail and is being held on no bond.
To donate to Sweetpea's recovery efforts, visit the Livin' Like Larry Farm Sanctuary website at www.livinlikelarryfs.wordpress.com
