Space Cadet

The owner says this tiny chihuahua was very fearful of one man. Then the dog was left with him. Seven years old. About 3.7 pounds. Less than a bag of sugar. Court records say the dog was left alone with Travis Wallace, 43, and his son on Walbridge Court in Louisville on July 19. A traumatic brain injury. A fractured rib. Severe internal bleeding from blunt force. The dog was euthanized. Investigators say Wallace's story changed multiple times. A witness says he did not try to help. He was arrested in Rowan County Oct 23 and booked into Louisville's jail Nov 4. Charged with torture of a dog and second degree cruelty to animals. Accused, not convicted. Bond: $25,000. Three months for an arrest. Less than four pounds of dog. That bond is a shrug. Would it be enough if it were your dog? H/t WHAS11

She went from a Texas euthanasia list to a high school stage in New York. Penny, a 2 year old Chihuahua Dachshund mix, played Bruiser in St. Mary's High School's Legally Blonde: The Musical in Lancaster this week. Sadie's Safe Harbor rescued her as a Texas stray and fostered her in Western New York. The shows are over. Her director, Jen Vanduzer, offered to pay her fee. She's still waiting on a family. Sadie's only places dogs locally in Western New York. Who's going to give Penny her encore? H/t Sadie's Safe Harbor / St. Mary's High School

Two weeks ago a federal judge said free Major. As of the last report, he was still sitting alone in that Austin shelter. Major is the veteran’s service dog who spent 575 days in a kennel. His owner’s lawyer says the reunion is coming “expeditiously.” As of this morning, no rescue has been named publicly and no report says he’s out. We’re watching. We’re counting the days. When Major finally walks out of there, what’s the first thing you want to see?

Thank you, Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster), for signing Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, Mikka's, and Bumi's Law. It's now law in South Carolina. It expands what counts as a crime against police dogs and horses, raises the penalties, and requires restitution that covers replacing or restoring the animal, including purchase, training and vet costs. Seven names on that law. Seven reasons it matters. Does your state protect its working animals this well?

K9 Bart died of heat stroke after being left in an outdoor kennel with no water. His former handler is charged in his death. Megan Chloe Swann, a former Madison County Tennessee deputy, faces one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. Sheriff Julian Wiser said she left the 2.5 year old German shepherd for about 36 hours as temperatures hit 101 degrees. A necropsy found heat stroke from severe dehydration. She posted a $5,000 bond. Arraignment is Nov 9. A working dog deserved better. H/t: WSMV / WBBJ

"I'm not going to jail." Deputies say he ended up biting a police K9 Wednesday evening in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, deputies found a man with an active warrant sitting in his truck. The sheriff's office says he threatened to shoot them, then drove off and ran into thick brush. Three hours later, K9 units found him hiding in palm fronds. Deputies say he struck K9 Beny and bit Beny in the neck and ear. Beny is OK.

IN HIS LAST WEEK ON THE JOB, HE STILL FOUND THE WANTED MAN. K9 Logan found a felony warrant suspect out of Georgia and helped uncover cocaine and meth in a separate case. Then cancer took him. He died earlier this week with his handler, Deputy Tony LoRusso, the whole Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and handlers from other agencies right there with him. Rest easy, partner.

17 DEAD ANIMALS AT ONE GEORGIA HOME. BOTH ARRESTED. BOTH ALREADY OUT. Hall County Animal Control found 13 dead chickens, 3 dead ducks and a dead dog on Yellow Creek Road in Murrayville. Another dog was in the kennel with that body. Severely underweight. Dogs inside the house were underweight too. Per the arrest report, KC Parker, 20, said he couldn't afford their care after the breakup. No license. But he had a phone. Montana Adkins said a locked gate kept her out. The report says there wasn't even a fence stopping anyone from getting in. Officers say neither one gave these animals adequate food, water or sanitary conditions. Picture your dog in that kennel. Arrested Monday. Out Tuesday on $50,400 bond each. Seventeen animals dead and that's the price tag. H/t WSB-TV

A HORSE NAMED PINTO WAS TIED TO A PICKUP. THE PLEA DEAL CAPS JAIL AT 179 DAYS. Las Vegas police say Pinto was found dead June 25 in east Las Vegas after being lassoed to an F-150. Guadalupe Camarillo Guarneros, 62, turned himself in July 3. Bail was $5,000. On October 22 he pleaded guilty to 4 gross misdemeanor conspiracy counts. Those counts also cover 10 pigs, 21 chickens, a puppy, a kitten, a piglet and a ferret. Sentencing is November 4, and the plea caps his jail time at 179 days. Pinto is dead, and the cap is less than six months. Should that be the most a judge can give? H/t: News 3 LV

A FIRE KILLED A PIT BULL NAMED NALA AND HER 7 PUPPIES. THE MAN CHARGED IS STILL ON THE RUN. The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office in Texas has charged Abraham Salomon Chacon, about 40, with first degree arson of a habitation and third degree animal cruelty. Nala and all 7 of her puppies died in that fire. As of now, Chacon is still wanted. If you know where he is, contact the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. A mother dog and her babies had nowhere to go. Somebody out there knows where he’s hiding. Will you share this so someone in Bastrop County sees his name? H/t: Elgin Courier and Hoodline