Kingsburg MMA fighter’s dog taken back into custody

Kingsburg MMA Fighter Fidel Manzano Jr.’s dog, Chokaly, was taken back into police custody after police conducted a welfare check of the animal on Friday.

Central California’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, SPCA, Humane officers and Kingsburg Police Department officers conducted an inspection to check on the welfare of the 12-month-old dog on Friday.

There are two separate residences on the property; the puppy was with family members in the front residence and Manzano was in the rear residence. Due to the proximity, officers took the animal into protective custody.

The dog was awake, alert, mobile, and responsive and taken to the SPCA in Fresno on Friday, said Kingsburg police.

On Dec. 9, Manzano was released from the Fresno County Jail and ordered not to own or possess animals as a condition of his release. That same day Manzano’s 7-12-month-old dog, named Chokaly, was released from the care of the treating veterinarian and returned to family members, Kingsburg police said.

Police say that on Dec. 3 Manzano Jr. arrived home intoxicated around 2 a.m. and beat the dog, causing a broken jaw, severe soft tissue damage to the hind legs, numerous contusions and abrasions, and a swollen brain.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 10:46 PM with the headline "Kingsburg MMA fighter’s dog taken back into custody."