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OTTAWA -- Two Ottawa men face animal-cruelty charges over the abuse of a three-month-old puppy.
A local vet called the Ottawa Humane Society on Jan. 6 to report an injured dog whose caretaker didn’t want to pay $400 to have the animal examined.
The female husky puppy — which couldn’t walk or stand, was haemorrhaging around one eye and was suffering pain in its neck — was handed over to the OHS.
It was later diagnosed with a broken shoulder and sever nerve damage from violent physical trauma.
The owner, Amr El Bardawil, 19, is alleged to have thrown the puppy six feet in the air on Jan. 4 after she urinated on the floor. She landed on a coffee table.
The puppy was then taken to the home of Hamoun Mahabadi, also 19, who kept her in his garage for two days before taking her to the vet and then surrendering her to the OHS.
El Bardawil is charged with causing distress and failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention to an animal in his possession.
Mahabadi is charged with failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention to the dog.
“This helpless animal endured an incredibly savage attack for behaviour that is characteristic of any young dog,” said OHS Inspector Miriam Smith. “That act was horrific enough, but for an obviously injured animal to be denied medical care for nearly two whole days is unacceptable. We need people to know that if they withhold medical treatment from an animal, no matter ownership or the situation, they will be held responsible.”
The puppy, renamed Faith by OHS staff, is in foster care. She still has difficulties with balance and walking and may need to have her right front leg amputated.
El Bardawil and Mahabadi are due in court Feb. 18.