March 9, 2010 11:50 AM

Shocking Cell Phone Video: Bulldog Brutally Beaten, Owner Charged

By
Kealan Oliver
Topics
Daily Blotter

Spike, 11-month-old English Bulldog

(Credit: ASPCA)

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) A New York City woman allegedly caught on tape beating her English bulldog with a shovel was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

The ASPCA says it received a report of the alleged abuse by Maria Aguilar two weeks ago, Feb. 22, after she was apparently captured on cellphone video hitting the dog.

After an investigation, officials determined the bulldog, Spike, has a hip fracture and a broken leg, as well as some broken teeth, injuries to his ears and is unable to see out of his right eye, according to NBC News-New York.

The 36-year-old Aguilar, who's from the borough of Queens, is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison.

The station says the ASPCA believes the dog will permanently walk with a limp and likely be blind in one eye.

CELL PHONE VIDEO CAN BE VIEWED HERE. WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS SCENES THAT MAY BE DISTURBING


Add a Comment See all 11 Comments
by ncrod1 September 15, 2010 9:57 AM EDT
This woman needs to be beaten within an inch of her life, which is what she basically did to this dog.

How can you live with yourself knowing you have crippled another living creature for life? No doubt she has little thought of what she's done and only feels bad she's been caught. A person like this is disturbed. I've read on other sites saying she needs to be pitied, she's over the edge. If she feels stressed or overwhelmed then she should not have a pet. Her husband is no better, allowing this to happen continually. Thankfully the neighbors got the proof needed to have the dog taken from her and have her arrested.

Sadly, with the laws in this country being what they are, I doubt she will do much time. Most people get off very easily, one football player comes to mind, but that's another story. People need to see that cruelty to animals is a crime with significant jail-time.

You have to realize, anyone willing to abuse an innocent animal is likely to try and get away with other crimes.
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by ftldg4444 March 24, 2010 10:18 PM EDT
After viewing the video where Maria Aguilar is brutalizing the baby pup, it is quite apparent that Maria Aguilar committed several disturbing crimes that are supported by evidence, witnesses, medical records and the defendant's confession

Furthermore, I would like to address a very important factor: Victor Estudillo, witnessed a series of criminal acts being performed to the baby pup for a period of 11 months. This is supported by the fact that the baby pup was brought to the vetirnarian 14 times. Therefore, you have 14 counts of animal abuse. The fact that there is a media coverage stipulating that the pup experienced months of abuse clearly indicates that Maria Aguilar engage in a course of criminal behavior for an extended period of time, specifically 11 months based on the facts presented. In addition, Maria Aguilar, according to the news, initially lied to the ASPCA police and denied the criminal acts and then admitted to the criminal acts, once she was presented with the video that shows Maria Aguilar beating the baby pup. Lying to the ASPCA Police and hindering prosecution are two additional charges that should be added to the two felonies Maria Aguilar committed.

Victor Estudillo is in, the face of the public, an accessory to these criminal acts performed over a period time by Maria Estudillo
because he witnessed the acts and did nothing to report the abuse. Victor Estudillo should be indicted as an accessory.

I honestly feel as do many supporters, that the only way to prevent and stop animal cruelty is by fully prosecuting these individuals in an effort to stop the criminal offenses that are being committed. When individuals such as Maria Aguilar commit crimes the only way they can comprehend the severity of their crimes is by serving a jail sentence that will allow her and her husband to think about what they they did to place themselves in that cell. Maria Aguilar is charged with two felonies, each punishable with two years in prison for a total of four years. In actuality, it is really fourteen felony accounts because of each time the pup was taken to the vet to attend to the wounds inflicted by Maria Aguilar. Maria Aguilar engaged in a course of criminal behavior for over 11 months which is about 300 days where Maria Aguilar brutalized a baby pup.
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by Wildwood1966 March 18, 2010 2:43 PM EDT
why did she have a dog? Like some peeps shouldn't have children , some should not have pets, she is obviously not a dog lover - I hope he gets into a good home - poor thing - and I hope her punishment includes several beatings with the same shovel resulting in being blind, missing teeth and walking with a limp.
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by Wendy11756 March 13, 2010 5:29 PM EST
I am very happy that the neighbor video taped this crime. And the vet should be brought into this matter and find out what the vet visits were for-if injury was involved then this woman needs to be held accountable for those injuries too-and this article didn't say it but her son said "well it is only a dog" on some news broadcast so there are clearly family issues and not just her. The husband is also responsible if he let this go so long. And what about CPS because anyone with this type of anger management problem no doubt has hit more than this dog-Get well Spike and hope your next family treats you well.
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by BabySwede--2008 March 13, 2010 11:04 AM EST
There is something seriously wrong with people in this world. How can someone be so cruel, that is beyond not having a soul, it is evil. She should get worse than 4 years, maybe or judicail system feels that is the right punishment for the crime, but a crime like that indicates other problems and should be treaten the same way she treated the dog.
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by michelledomingo March 12, 2010 11:24 AM EST
I think that this is terrible! Someone should beat her with a shovel and see how she would feel! She should get life in prison without any possibility of parole. And if she is not an american citizen she whould be sent back to wherever she came from!!
Reply to this comment
by michelledomingo March 12, 2010 11:23 AM EST
I think that this is terrible! Someone should beat her with a shovel and see how she would feel! She should get life in prison without any possibility of parole. And if she is not an american citizen she whould be sent back to wherever she came from!!
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by suzannede March 9, 2010 9:53 PM EST
DISGUSTING!!!! This is horrific! This poor little dog. I hope she gets beat with a shovel in prison.
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by mike_hecker March 9, 2010 5:10 PM EST
I really would like to see this women get convicted. I hope she gets what she deserves.
Reply to this comment
by CJ-Keith March 9, 2010 2:31 PM EST
That is pretty cruel. four years is a long time in prison. I hate to say this, but four years would do her good.
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