COAST CITIES — Twenty-two-year-old Abed Dubester has pled guilty to 597(a) P.C. charges of animal abuse for burning a six-month old Bischon puppy, Stewie, with hot water. San Diego Humane Society Humane Officers seized Stewie on March 29, 2011, filed for protective custody and began an intensive investigation.
Nearly half of Stewie’s body was covered in second and third degree burns. There was no doubt in my mind that this was an intentional act of animal abuse,” said Randy Lawrence, Director of Humane Law Enforcement for the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. “We take cases of animal cruelty and neglect very seriously so my team and I lead the investigation and saw to it that charges were filed.”
Dubester pled guilty to a misdemeanor, will have to pay full restitution for Stewie’s medical care, and will be unable to own an animal for five years.
Upon arriving at the San Diego Humane Society, Stewie was not only covered in burns, but he also suffered from a resistant bacterial infection and his prognosis was poor. Stewie endured months of treatment and around-the-clock care from the San Diego Humane Society’s medical staff.
For more information or to see current animals available for adoption, visit sdhumane.org.
