The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman for Aggravated Animal Cruelty in Town 'N' Country.
On May 1, 2023, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received a call reporting an animal cruelty incident at a home on Halifax Drive. When deputies arrived, they were given surveillance footage of Elizabeth Jaimes, 24, holding a 9-year-old Siberian Husky "Maya" with a leash and repeatedly striking the dog with a rubber mallet on the head and torso.
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"The actions of Elizabeth Jaimes are reprehensible," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "No animal deserves to be treated cruelly and inhumanely, and we will not tolerate it. Our team acted swiftly to take Maya into custody and provide her with emergency medical care."
After being brought to the Veterinary Emergency Group, it was confirmed that Maya had multiple blunt-force head and back injuries, including spine and rib fractures, and was blind in one eye.
Jaimes was living in the home with her boyfriend and his mother, Maya's owner. The dog's owner started to notice Maya was receiving injuries around August when Jaimes moved in and, at the request of her veterinarian, installed a hidden camera in her home to see what was happening to the dog. That is when she discovered the disturbing abuse occurring at the hands of Jaimes. Jaimes admitted to hitting the dog because she had growled at her.
Following the arrest, Maya has been reunited with her owner and is recovering at home. The owner has filed for an injunction on Jaimes.
"As a dog lover, it is gut-wrenching to hear this precious animal cry for help," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "We are pleased to hear that Maya is recovering at home with her owner."
This is an active and ongoing investigation. The Public Affairs Office will release any updates.
