District attorney files charges in Fresno dog abuse case

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges Friday against a man accused of severely abusing his dog at a central Fresno home after the Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals brought the case to its attention, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp said Saturday.

The CCSPCA received a complaint on June 26 about a man beating a dog at his home near Olive Avenue and Fresno Street. When humane investigator Serena Ramirez arrived, Tyrell Harris came out of the house with his hands and pants covered in blood, the CCSPCA said.

The dog, a female pit bull named Princess, was found locked in a hot garage, the CCSPCA said. A large pool of blood was found near Princess, and her right hind foot had been tightly bound and tied to the pieces of furniture. The CCSPCA said the dog’s eyebrows were bloody and eyes were swollen shut, her breathing was labored, and she had abrasions on her stomach and raw paws.

As soon as the dog was unbound, Ramirez rushed her to Veterinary Emergency Services. X-rays revealed the dog had sustained a frontal skull fracture. Princess is currently recovering in the CCSPCA Small Animal Hospital.

The district attorney filed charges against the suspect under PC 597(a), which states “every person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal, or maliciously and intentionally kills an animal, is guilty of a crime.”

If convicted, the suspect would be responsible for all costs incurred by the CCSPCA from the time Princess was seized until a judge’s decision is made. Those costs total nearly $7,000 to date, the CCSPCA said.

The CCSPCA is asking for donations to help cover Princess’ medical costs at ccspca.com/support-the-ccspca/donate.

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 8:50 PM with the headline "District attorney files charges in Fresno dog abuse case."