This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Thinking about someone harming our animal companions is inconceivable, and a family member being their abuser would only make it worse. Sadly, that was the case for a little young dog in Texas, who was tragically beaten to death. Urge the prosecutor to seek the maximum penalty in this heartbreaking case.

In March, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office was notified that Michael Uriegas had beaten and killed a family member's dog named Ruger.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Uriegas reported he “was angry that the small dog had urinated on him and threw the puppy into the kennel” and attempted to help after realizing Ruger had died.

Yet those claims were debunked after a necropsy was conducted, finding that Ruger had injuries all over his body.

The ultimate cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to at least five areas of Ruger's small body.

In April, Uriegas was arrested for cruelty to a non-livestock animal, which is a third-degree felony carrying a fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum of two years in jail. He is due back in court in August.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.