Stabbing Leaves 1 Dog Dead, Another Recovering

PHOENIX, AZ — One dog is dead and another is recuperating in the care of the Arizona Humane Society after a woman stabbed both of them, according to the humane society and court records.

Mindy, a 4-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier, is recovering at the humane society's Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital.

Feliciana Garcia, 36, is charged in Maricopa County Superior Court with two counts of felony animal cruelty. She could face up to two years in prison for each charge.

Garcia was released Aug. 10 on $1,000 bail, according to online court records.

Both dogs were bloody, lethargic and covered in stab wounds when Phoenix police and humane society investigators arrived at the scene on Aug. 5, according to the humane society.

Humane society staff rushed both dogs to the hospital and assessed their wounds. Mindy suffered two large stab wounds, had tick fever and was covered in scabs from tick bites. While in surgery, a veterinarian tied off a bleeding vessel to save Mindy's life. The other dog did not survive her wounds.

The humane society's field team responds to around 6,000 cases of suspected abuse each year and the society's trauma hospital sees approximately 11,000 sick, injured and abused homeless animals on an annual basis.

"Sadly these cases are somewhat common," said Bretta Nelson, a spokesperson for the humane society.

The field team sees gunshot wounds, stabbings and hoarding cases, she said. But even so, veteran animal cruelty investigator Andy Gallo, who has been with the humane society around 10 years, was moved by Mindy's situation.

“He said the scene is one of the most brutal that he has been to," Nelson said. "I think it just goes to show that no matter how many cases we go on each year in our 64 year history, it never gets easier.”

The humane society described Mindy as "timid and scared" but added that staff were working with her one-on-one to gain trust, using treats like hot dogs and chicken. The humane society plans to send her to a foster home for additional recovery and socialization work before she is listed for adoption.

The humane society asks locals to report animal abuse if they see it or suspect it. Nelson advises Good Samaritans not to approach suspected abusers but to report suspicions to law enforcement or the humane society for investigation.