Dog Blinded In 1 Eye, Received Spine, Rib Fractures After Being Struck With Rubber Mallet

TAMPA, FL — The owner of a 9-year-old Siberian husky named Maya couldn't figure out how her dog kept getting injured badly enough to require repeated visits to the veterinarian.

So, on the advice of her vet, the woman installed a hidden camera in her home on Halifax Drive in Town 'n' Country.

What the dog's owner discovered when she viewed the video shocked even hardened sheriff's deputies.

The dog's injuries began after the girlfriend of the dog owner's son moved in with them in August.

The hidden video captured footage of the girlfriend, Elizabeth Jaimes, 24, holding Maya by the leash and striking the dog over and over on the head and torso with a rubber mallet.

The dog owner filed a complaint with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Monday. When deputies arrived and viewed the video footage, they promptly arrested Jaimes and charged her with aggravated animal cruelty. Investigators believe the abuse began as far back as October and took place over months.

"The actions of Elizabeth Jaimes are reprehensible," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "No animal deserves to be treated cruelly and inhumanely, and we will not tolerate it. Our team acted swiftly to take Maya into custody and provide her with emergency medical care."

Deputies took Maya into custody and brought her to the Veterinary Emergency Group, where veterinarians confirmed that Maya had multiple blunt-force head and back injuries, including spine and rib fractures, and a broken orbital bone, causing the dog to be blinded in one eye.

The sheriff's office said Jaimes admitted to hitting the dog because she said the dog growled at her.

After Jaimes' arrest, Maya's owner filed a court injunction prohibiting Jaimes from entering her home.

Maya has now been reunited with her owner and is recovering, said the sheriff.

"As a dog lover, it is gut-wrenching to hear this precious animal cry for help," said Chronister. "We are pleased to hear that Maya is recovering at home with her owner."

Chronister has since followed up due to the "unimaginable and unwarranted abuse" the dog endured and is petitioning Hillsborough County State Attorney Susan Lopez to prevent Jaimes from adopting or living with a pet in Hillsborough County.

Additionally, Chronister and Lopez are pushing for the petition to apply statewide, calling the abuse of the dog, Maya, "horrendous and harrowing abuse."

"We as a community and as a society will never tolerate the abuse and terrorizing of a poor innocent animal," said Chronister. "Elizabeth Jaimes will feel the full weight of the criminal justice system in Hillsborough County."

"Our office is always focused on fighting on behalf of the most vulnerable populations who can't speak for themselves," said Lopez. "The state attorney's office will not tolerate animal cruelty and will continue to work closely with Sheriff Chronister and his team as they continue this disturbing investigation."

"Nothing would justify this evil and callous abuse. Maya is a sweet and loving animal who did not deserve the torture she endured," said Chronister. "This is why our investigation is so important. We need to dive deeper and determine how far the abuse goes back. We are dedicated to investigating this case and ensuring that Jaimes will be held accountable for her heinous acts."

Jaimes has been released from jail on a $7,500 bond.

Warning: The video contains disturbing images.