SAN ANTONIO – Nearly a year after one of the most disturbing cases of animal abuse seen in San Antonio, the former owner of a pit bull doused in highly corrosive hydrochloric acid has learned his punishment.
Ignacio Sanchez Alvarez, 45, has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony animal abuse charge. The sentenced was enhanced due to the use of a deadly weapon.
Images: 'Disturbing' dog acid abuse case (GRAPHIC)
Alvarez must serve more than two years before he is eligible for parole.
Meanwhile, the female pit bull he burned, Rosie, has recovered and is living happily in her new home.
Last August, Animal Care Services said the 5-year-old female pit bull was doused with highly corrosive hydrochloric acid, strong enough to eat through concrete. It burned off one of the dog’s ears, disfigured the other and initially left her blind. Her face and head had deep chemical burns.
"It appeared her skin was almost melted," said Officer Joel Skidmore, the ACS operations supervisor who assisted with the case at that time.
"She was walking around disoriented, not knowing where she was walking to," said Officer Manuel Flores, the lead ACS cruelty investigator.
Flores said Alvarez had tried to discipline Rosie for killing chickens by dousing her with the acid.
"That's definitely not a good form of punishment for a dog at all," Flores said.
Rosie was adopted in December 2015 and has since recovered. She's still heavily scarred but she regained her eyesight. She also comes back to visit her old pals at ACS.
"She doesn't see a single person that she doesn't like," Skidmore said. "She always walks up to them. She's always friendly, willing always to give you a kiss on the face. She's just a great dog."
To show her gratitude, Rosie sent a thank-you card to Flores signed with her very own paw print.
“It’s definitely something I'm going to treasure for a long time," he said.
Meanwhile, both Flores and Skidmore said they thought justice had been served.
"She deserved to be happy, and I think we held that gentleman accountable and got some justice for Rosie," Skidmore said.