The search is on for a burglar who abused a two-month-old puppy. The dog was kicked, thrown against a wall and even forced to eat detergent.
That puppy endured some of the worst abuse we've ever heard of. He belongs to a woman in Blanco, but was first treated here in San Antonio. He's been moved to a veterinary hospital in Austin with swelling on the brain. The puppy is being called Phoenix because everyone is hoping he'll rise up from the ashes.
Phoenix weighs just four pounds. His little body is injured on the inside and on the outside. He has a feeding tube, along with an IV and he's wobbly on his feet.
"For him to get lung trauma and head trauma at the same time," said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, "it had to be pretty forceful."
Right now, the most critical thing is an air bubble in Phoenix's lungs. If it bursts, he could suffocate. Vets say the air bubble was caused by severe force.
"I would equate this to being hit by a car," said Dr. Jefferson.
Still, the schnauzer mix is strong for being so young. He's slowly getting better at starting to eat. At first, Phoenix would shy away from food, probably because he last remembered detergent being forced into his mouth.
"I can't imagine how hard it would have been to get it down his throat because he wouldn't have just sat there for it," said Dr. Jefferson.
Police are now working to arrest the man responsible for Phoenix's severe injuries. News 4 is told he's the ex-boyfriend of Phoenix's owner and that he broke into his former girlfriend's house and hurt the puppy to get back at her.
