An officer from the New York Police Department saved a 6-month-old Pit Bull named Hennessy from being beaten with a shovel and buried in the snow by an accused Bronx man on Friday.
Several neighbors called 911 around 4 a.m. Friday morning after hearing the dogs cries, reported ABC 7.
"Somebody is beating a dog, and it sounds like the dog is outside or the dog is being deprived of something," neighbor Thynia Williams said on the phone to police. "It's definitely animal cruelty."
Police say Raul Cruz, 43, is responsible for the crime. He was charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal and torture, injuring or not feeding an animal.
When the officer arrived at the scene, Hennessy's snout was the only body part sticking out of the snow. Police allege that Cruz left her for dead.
There is no excuse for animal abuse. #long wood speaks for those can't. Perpetrator arrested. #Hennessy is safe. pic.twitter.com/eITokwxV1m
— NYPD 41st Precinct (@NYPD41Pct) January 30, 2015
Some neighbors say they are surprised to hear of Cruz's crime.
"I've never seen him mistreat the dog or anything," neighbor William Ward told ABC 7. "I've seen the dog. I've seen him walking the dog. I've never seen him mistreat the dog...(she looked) like a healthy little pit. In fact, I'm kind of surprised."
Police took Hennessy to the ASPCA where she is receiving medical attention. Officials say it's too soon to tell exactly what how badly Hennessy was hurt.
"We applaud the brave citizens who witnessed this barbaric act and called the NYPD," ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group senior director Howard Lawrence told ABC 7. "We encourage anyone who witnesses an animal crime in progress in NYC to please call 911 immediately. You may be saving that animal's life."
