Spike The Bulldog Is Still Recovering

Aw, the ASPCA gave the Daily News a new picture of Spike, the 11-month-old English bulldog that was beaten by his owner, and he looks a bit better! The News says almost 100 readers are interested in adopting the pup, whose injuries include a hip fracture, a broken leg, three broken teeth, injuries to his ears and virtual blindness in his right eye.

The ASPCA's Joseph Pentangelo says that while the outpouring of love for Spike is great (the ASPCA has received many offers to take him), he's still recovering, "There are other pets in shelters in dire need of homes. People wanting to help should consider adoption." Indeed—check out the great dogs and cats available at the ASPCA (this week's pets are Homer the dog and Brooklyn the cat).

As for Spike's alleged abuser, Maria Aguilar faces charges of animal cruelty and possession of a weapon. A neighbor witnessed Aguilar using a shovel to beat Spike and took video. NBC New York's Tim Minton spoke to the neighbor (video) who said he yelled at Aguilar to stop.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 14, 2010 4:30 PM

Comments [rss]

bulldog puppies for sale

Why are so many so cruel..it is horrific to see this.

merricourt

Does anyone know what happened to the evil woman (maria Aguilar) who did this - I must not be searching right, because I cannot find anything.....

R

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.

JudyBratis,R.N.

First of all, I live in Los Angeles and I have two children (English bulldogs). When I read about Spike, I was literally sick to my stomach. I immediately called the ASPCA wanting to adopt Spike. I was all ready to fly to New York but was told he was already adopted. I am enraged at the abuse he endured by that woman. I pray that she is sentenced to the full four years in prison for felony animal abuse and I hope someone in there has a snow shovel. The woman and her family are dispicable. Thank you to the neighbor who videotaped the abuse and saved Spike's life. I hope that justice for Spike is quick. Hang in there, Spike. There are many prayers and love coming your way. I'm sending you a big slobbery kiss....

youngpro

My sisters are vets, and they both say animals who undergo such a tormented pup life grow up to be messes and die young. What a real shame. Pound for pound, the broken leg alone would probably be the human equivalent of a broken leg, arm, skull. Poor guy!

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Maria Aguilar and her family should be deported. Her nasty looking son said on TV that it was only a dog. Thank you for the neighbor who rescue this dog from this hell hole.

youngpro

i didn't know you could deport puerto ricans.

oh, wait...you can't.

nicemarmot

Poor puppy. He'll have a good home, and here's hoping those other 99 people actually adopt a new dog too. Adoption is totally the way to go, if you want a purebred, contact a breed rescue - almost all the breed rescues are online now. They also foster the dogs and can give you an idea of what they're actually like in a home environment before you adopt them. They'll also take them back if it doesn't work out.

I got my dog from a breed rescue almost a year ago - I would have just gone to the ASPCA, but my hubby was nervous having never owned a pet and wanted a dog similar to the ones he was familiar with. The adoption took some work, but it was worth it - and it cost way less than buying a purebred puppy.