Man Arrested for Locking Dog in Closet

This abandoned and starving dog was found alone in a closet by new homeowners in Maine. The couple had just purchased a home in Maine and found the pup while they were renovating.

Source: NEWS CENTER Maine/YouTube

The puppy pit bull mix was in desperate need of medical care and food when they found him. When the Caribou Police arrived, the pup was scared and aggressive. The pup had reportedly been malnourished and stuck inside a closet for an undetermined amount of time.

The Caribou Police said on Facebook that they had identified a suspect and “were in the process of locating him.”

“Once the humane society looks at him, we’ll have a better idea of whether he’s suffered any infections or serious injuries,” Caribou Police officer Douglas Bell said. “Once we’re able to interview the owner and know the dog’s condition, we’ll have a better idea of what we might charge them with.”

In an update, they said that 31-year-old Matthew Guzman of Caribou voluntarily turned himself in. He was charged with animal cruelty, and he is now subject to a possible court-imposed ban on possessing any animals in the future.

“The dog is currently safe and being provided with the care he needs,” the Facebook post confirmed.

Animal abuse is more prevalent than many may think. According to PetPedia, every 60 seconds, an animal suffers from abuse, with more than 65 percent being dogs. More than 10 million animals die from abuse every year in the US alone, not including the livestock bred for consumption, who also suffer immense abuse. 

While we cannot change the horrific treatment that many animals have already endured in the past, we can give animals a voice and hold perpetrators accountable for crimes in the present and the future. Many animal abusers are not held accountable by the law, which feeds into this horrific cycle of abuse. You can sign this petition to demand all states make all animal abuse a felony.

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