WARNING: The video contains a disturbing scene of animal cruelty. The dog is not seen in most of the video, but is heard.
TOWN 'n' COUNTRY -- Hillsborough deputies have arrested a woman they say beat a Siberian Husky with a rubber mallet, and charged her with aggravated animal cruelty.
Deputies went to a home on Halifax Drive Monday (1st) and received video of the alleged incident. The video seems to show a woman, identified as 24-year-old Elizabeth Jaimes, holding the nine-year-old dog named "Maya" with a leash while striking him on the head and torso. They took the dog away to the emergency vet. Doctors confirmed Maya had several head and back injuries, including spine and rib fractures. Maya was also blind in one eye.
The dog is owned by the mother of Jaimes' boyfriend. She started to notice Maya was getting injuries after Jaimes moved in last August, and installed a hidden camera at the request of a veterinarian. Deputies say Jaimes later admitted hitting the dog because he had growled at her.
Maya is now recovering at home and the dog's owner is seeking an injunction against Jaimes.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister describes Maya's howls of pain as "gut-wrenching" and the allegations against Jaimes as "reprehensible."
The video is provided below from the Sheriff's Office.
Photo/Video: HCSO