A Cape Coral man was arrested for animal cruelty on Thursday following a complaint from a vet along Pine Island Road.
The Cape Coral Police Department says Oscar Alvarez, 61, took his dog to the vet on April 28, 2024.
Reports say Alvarez took Titan, an 8-year-old Male Shih Tzu, to VetNow Urgent Care around 12:55 p.m.
The dog had a large mass the size of a baseball covering its face that had started to rupture.
CCPD says the mass was making it hard for the dog to breathe. eat or drink, and there was a foul smell coming from Titan’s face and the mass.
The mass was rupturing and completely obscuring Titan’s right eye.
Reports say the dog's quality of life was very poor, and he was suffering.
The veterinarian explained that humane euthanasia was the only option.
According to the release, the investigation revealed that Alvarez took Titan to VetNow in October 2023 about a lump on his nose and eye discharge.
The veterinarian said the lump and his nose were infected.
The doctor recommended radiographs, complete blood work, and electrolytes, but Alvarez declined due to finances.
Alvarez was sent home with medication to treat a heart condition and the nasal mass and an explanation that the dog needed follow-up visits.
He never took Titan back to the vet.
The police department says VetNow contacted Lee County Domestic Animal Services because Alvarez failed to provide care after the first visit in October 2023.
Titan's pain and suffering could have been prevented if Alvarez had followed up with his vet, according to reports.
Alvarez canceled Titan’s wellness plan at his regular veterinarian in June 2022, claiming he gave Titan away.
Titan’s last visit was in January 2022 for an illness check.
CCPD says at that time, there was no visible mass, but the doctor warned Titan may have one because he had nasal discharge, signs of a narrowing airway, and his heart rate was irregular.
Alvarez was told that if he did not follow up, it would be detrimental to Titan's health, but those warnings were ignored.
An arrest warrant was signed off for Alvarez for felony animal cruelty.
He was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail.