Home surgery on pet Chihuahua lands man in jail

CourtTV ^

[Olydawg]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Perhaps he was just being cheap, maybe he actually believed he could do it better or maybe he just didn't know better.

But authorities in Broward County continue to scratch their heads after learning about the man who needlessly neutered his own dog.

Jose Noel Rugama, 54, who is not a veterinarian, was arrested Dec. 19 at his home and charged with felony cruelty to animals after a female housemate reported the do-it-yourself excision to investigators.

Authorities say Rugama used a single-edged razor to perform the delicate surgery on Elvis, his pet Chihuahua. Rugama says he performed the procedure in order to remove a tumor in the dog's groin. Woefully, there was no such tumor and Rugama ended up removing one of the dog's testicles.

The dog was taken to Coral Springs Animal Hospital where it has made a full recovery. Remarkably, the amateur surgeon seemed to know exactly where to cut and did not severely harm the dog, authorities said, adding that it is surprising how trusting and calm Elvis has remained after the assault.

"[Rugama] assaulted a defenseless creature without using any anesthetic," said Hugh Graff, a spokesman for the Broward County Sheriff's Office. "But even after having suffered this horrible, traumatic experience, Elvis is still in good spirits."

A search of Rugama's home following the arrest uncovered a cache of weapons, including a .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .308-caliber rifle, a 1942 Enfield .0303 rifle, a Beretta pistol and a Taurus .357 revolver. Along with the weapons being confiscated, authorities also removed another Chihuahua named Priscilla, a rottweiler, two pythons and several fish and birds. The dogs will be put up for adoption.

Graff told Court TV that a judge denied Rugama bond after an investigation into the animal cruelty charge drew attention to a 1993 Palm Beach County warrant that accuses Rugama of manslaughter while driving under the influence.

"It's especially satisfying to know that this idiot will not be leaving jail anytime soon," Graff said.

[Rebelbase]

"I don't know what size boot you would use for a chihuahua."

I don't know what size for surgery but for self defense my dad used his size 12.

He was taking care of the vacationing neighbor's bad disposition chihuahua when the thing attacked his ankles at the top of the basement stairs. Dad punted the thing down the stairs into the basement. The runt never bothered dad again.

[ctdonath2]

Let's just clarify the key part:

investigation into the animal cruelty charge drew attention to a 1993 Palm Beach County warrant that accuses Rugama of manslaughter

That little bit, tucked in at the end, explains an otherwise very bizzare story.

[worldviewer tom]

I am suprized that no one has mentioned the sheepherder method of neutering lambs. That's a subject they really get their teeth into. In the 50's I was in Future Farmers of America in High School and watched my Ag teacher demonstrate the "Operation." In today's world where would he be?

[LUVYA DUBYA 2000]

I too am surprised that no one has mentioned that in some cultures Dogs= Food. Do these people take them to a Vet to slaughter them for dinner?

[2Jedismom]

I was wondering when someone was going to bring up the sheep castration method you imply. ;-)

[Dianna]

When I was growing up my folks had a friend who was a vet. He "fixed" my cat on the coffee table one night at a dinner party.

Ew! I hope the surgery was after dinner...

[proudofthesouth]

True, but cows aren't raised to provde emotional comfort. That poor dog has my sympathy.

[Ratatoskr]

True, but cows aren't raised to provde emotional comfort. That poor dog has my sympathy.

What an animal is raised for doesn't have the slightest impact on its pain threshold. I understand the inclination to treat animals which are cute differently from those which are not, but objectively it doesn't make an atom of sense.

The dog and the steer have my sympathy, but I ate the hamburger anyway.

[RightOnline]

OHMIGAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS MAN CUTS HIS LITTLE DOG'S PEE-PEE AND HAS GUNS 'N' S**T AND SHOULD BE KILT 'N' ALL AND HE'S A HEINOUS CRIM'NAL AND........AND........AND..........JEEZCRISE!!!!!!

Note to self: Broward County Sheriff's Department: populated by a bunch of limp-wristed, lawless pu**ies.

[Some hope remaining.]

Um, I'm afraid to ask what was for dinner.

[Still Thinking]

Check. I'm thinking of reworking this weekend's amateur lobotomy fest into more of a fondue-and-movies event, myself.

Good idea -- we have more than enough liberals already.