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A Florida woman has been arrested after being caught on video repeatedly beating Maya, a 9-year-old Siberian husky, with a mallet. Urge the state attorney's office to pursue maximum charges!

For months, Maya's guardian couldn't figure out how her elderly dog kept getting injuries that required going to the vet for care. In April, her vet recommended installing a hidden camera since she and Maya lived in the house with her son and his girlfriend; what was captured was an incident of horrifying abuse.

On May 1, 2023, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) was notified about the abuse and went to the home to investigate. They were given the footage, which captured the girlfriend, Elizabeth Jaimes, restraining Maya with a leash and repeatedly striking her on her head and torso with a mallet, while Maya cried out in pain and fear.

Maya was immediately taken to the Veterinary Emergency Group, where it was confirmed that she had multiple blunt-force injuries.

According to the HCSO, investigators believe Maya's abuse may have begun as far back as October 2022. Since then, she's sustained injuries including “skull fractures, a broken jaw, spine and rib fractures, and a broken orbital resulting in blindness in one eye,” among other injuries requiring veterinary treatment.

Maya has since returned home and is recovering. Meanwhile, her guardian filed an injunction making sure Jaimes cannot enter the home, and authorities are taking this case seriously.

"We as a community and as a society will never tolerate the abuse and terrorization of a poor innocent animal," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Elizabeth Jaimes will feel the full weight of the criminal justice system in Hillsborough County."

Jaimes has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty. Chronister and State Attorney Susan Lopez have also announced a petition to ensure Jaimes cannot adopt or live with an animal in the county and are pushing to see it expanded statewide.

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