PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix-area couple is facing animal abuse charges after investigators said they let two of their dogs starve to death.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Ebony Johnson and Telesfor Lavato brought Nala and Star, both goldendoodles, to a BluePearl Animal Hospital location on June 21, because the dogs were so malnourished.
Ebony Johnson, left, and Telesfor Lavato, right, were booked into jail on four animal cruelty charges.(Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Nala weighed just under 17 pounds while Star weighed a little over 21 pounds. The average for a goldendoodle should be about 66 pounds.
Nala died at the hospital. Johnson and Lovato told the veterinarian their third goldendoodle died in their apartment earlier in the day. MCSO said the couple admitted that they only fed their dogs when they could afford it since they used to be homeless.
On June 23, Star, the only surviving dog, was surrendered to MCSO. She was also malnourished, with muscle wasting away and no noticeable fat. Star is now in the case of the Maricopa County Sheriff Office’s Animal Safe Haven (MASH) unit until she can be adopted.
Star is in the MASH unit until she can be adopted.(Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
On Wednesday, Johnson and Lavato were arrested and booked into jail on four counts of cruelty to animals, including two felonies.
“Our pets depend on us for love, care and protection,” Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said in a written statement. “I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate any form of animal abuse or neglect in our community. Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and those who choose to harm them will be held accountable.”
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