Abused puppy 'Sweetpea' to undergo surgery; $10K raised by FOX 35 viewers for her treatment
Sweetpea is making major strides after horrible injuries
Sweetpea, the pup who withstood severe injuries at the hands of her owner, has made major strides in recovery. Police arrested the owner on animal abuse charges.
OVIEDO, Fla. - More than $10,000 was raised in hours to help Sweetpea, a puppy severely abused and left with a fractured skull.
‘She’s got a long road ahead of her’
What we know:
Sweetpea, a 10-week-old puppy severely abused and left with a cracked skull, is currently resting and recovering at Oviedo Veterinary Care & Emergency in Florida. The pup was brought there last week after being rescued by the Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary, which transported her from Live Oak, Florida.
A CT scan revealed a cracked skull, brain swelling, and a shattered nasal cavity. Sweetpea is now under emergency veterinary care in Oviedo, more than three hours from where she was found.
Police arrested 45-year-old Eric Ivan Roldan who is now facing a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Eric Ivan Roldan, 45, is facing a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Doctors at Oviedo have seen remarkable progress in Sweetpea’s condition since her arrival.
What we don't know:
There is also no information yet on the specifics of Sweetpea’s long-term recovery plan after her surgery. Additionally, it is unclear how long it will take for Sweetpea to fully heal or when she might be ready for adoption.
The backstory:
On March 31, Live Oak Police received a disturbing call from a witness who reportedly saw the puppy being wrapped in a blanket and violently thrown to the ground, stomped, kicked, and slammed against a tree. Captain Jason Rountree, who responded to the call, said the details were shocking even to seasoned officers.
A 10-week-old puppy named Sweetpea is fighting for its life after being badly beaten. Despite signs of improvement, the full extent of Sweetpea’s injuries remains uncertain.
Rescuer Krystal Detty, who runs the Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary transported Sweetpea to Oviedo Veterinary Care and Emergency, known for handling severe cases like hers.
The sanctuary, which aids in rescuing animals, had strong ties with the veterinary staff, ensuring Sweetpea received immediate and expert care.
A 10-week-old puppy named Sweetpea is fighting for its life after being badly beaten. Despite signs of improvement, the full extent of Sweetpea’s injuries remains uncertain.
Sweetpea’s treatment has sparked an outpouring of support from the public, with over $10,000 raised in just a few hours for her care.
What they're saying:
A 10-week-old puppy is fighting for its life after being badly beaten in Live Oak, Florida. The puppy was so severely swollen from its injuries, that Krystal Detty didn’t even know which breed she was.
"She’s got a long road ahead of her," Detty said. "But I think she’s a fighter."
Puppy beaten beyond recognition fighting for its life
A 10-week-old puppy is fighting for its life after being badly beaten in Live Oak, Florida. The puppy was so severely swollen from its injuries, rescuers didn’t even know which breed she was.
Dr. Haley Jones, a veterinarian at Oviedo Veterinary Care & Emergency, shared her initial concern upon Sweetpea’s arrival.
"Initially, my thoughts were, is this... is she cognitive at all? Is this going to be something that we can fix?" She continued, "When she came in, she was not stable by any means because it had just happened a few hours prior."
"We have very strong ties with helping rescues," Dr. Jones added. "The reputation we’ve built for treating rescue animals is well-known among Florida nonprofit groups."
As for the next steps, Dr. Jones explained Sweetpea will undergo surgery, "to realign the skull and then place a plate, in order to support those fractures."
She also mentioned that Sweetpea’s recovery will require monitoring at the clinic after surgery.
How You Can Help:
Dr. Haley Jones said donations are still being collected to help Sweetpea through a GoFundMe page.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
- Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
- Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
- Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
- FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Captain Jason Rountree of Live Oak Police Department, Krystal Detty, who runs the Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary, and Dr. Haley Jones, a veterinarian at Oviedo Veterinary Care & Emergency.