Landrea Yuvienco

Photo courtesy Abilene Animal Services

Photo courtesy Abilene Animal Services

 

A young dog could find himself in a new home shortly after he was rescued after weeks trapped in a dark room.

Named ‘Boo’ after he was found by animal service officers, the black boxer mix dog was near death almost a month ago. Boo survived on water from the toilet. He weighed 23 pounds when he was recovered.

Now he is healthy, weighs 47 pounds and spends his time in the Animal Services Center, 925 S. 25th St., waiting for adoption.

His former owner was arrested Wednesday for cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, which could bring a fine of up to $4,000, a term of not more than a year in county jail, or both.

Landrea Yuvienco, 27, turned herself in Wednesday after a warrant was issued for her arrest Tuesday.

Boo and another dog had been unattended in her apartment for six to eight weeks, according to Detective Ernest Moscarelli.

“It was evident to me after the investigation was completed and speaking to all persons involved that cruelty to animals has definitely occurred with the boxer mix dog,” said Moscarelli with the Abilene Police Department. “For two months Yuvienco did not supply the necessary food, water or care required to maintain the animal in a state of good health.”

Another dog — a Chihuahua named Tink — also was recovered from Yuvienco’s apartment.

Tink was found in the living room and kitchen area where it survived on food from the garbage and required less food to maintain its health. Like Boo, Tink is also awaiting adoption.

Moscarelli said the animal cruelty arrest was just for Boo. Though left in the apartment like Boo, the Chihuahua was recovered in better health.

Yuvienco, an airman at Dyess Air Force Base, said she was staying at a friend’s house for personal reasons, Moscarelli said.

Aaron Vannoy, animal services manager for the city, said many people had inquired about the two dogs late Wednesday and all day Thursday, but no one has taken them yet.

The Chihuahua’s name, Vannoy said, came from the owner. The boxer mix dog’s name, however, came from one of the officers.

“Officer (Luis) Sanchez named it Boo,” Vannoy said.

After entering the apartment and finding Tink, Vannoy said Sanchez and another officer heard a sound from behind a closed door. Sanchez opened the door to a dark room where he could only hear sounds of something inside, then called out, “Boo.”

“He opened the door and said ‘boo’ and the animal came running to him,” Vannoy said. “So we just started naming him Boo.”

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.