An Oakland Park dog sitter has been charged with felony animal abuse after he killed a 2-year-old dog during a sick series of improvised surgeries.
William Ralph Jones Jr., 55, is behind bars after Zoe, a female Hound/Retriever mix, was found lifeless with a crudely sewn wound on her chest, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Jones had been keeping Zoe for her owner, Danielle Vecchio, who was not allowed to keep Zoe at her home. Vecchio received Zoe's body from Jones on Jan. 13, wrapped in a white sheet.
The details of Zoe's death are disturbing. According to police, Zoe escaped from Jones' yard on Jan. 12 through a hole in a fence, tearing a 4-inch gash in her chest in the process.
When he discovered the wound, Jones used glue to seal it. The next day, when Zoe reopened the wound, Jones set about performing his ill-conceived surgery.
Giving her a muscle relaxant and placing her on a coffee table, with a needle and dental floss, Jones sewed the wound, according to police. Zoe yelped several times and a cloth with cloroform was placed over her nose.
After a little while, Zoe stopped breathing.
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After a police investigation, Jones was arrested. He's facing up to 20 years in prison.
