Supporters rally for justice for Merced husky amid animal cruelty investigation

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Animal advocates and community members gathered outside the Merced County District Attorney's Office on Friday, demanding justice for a husky named Sweetie.

The rally comes as the Merced Police Department investigates animal cruelty allegations involving an unhoused man and his pet husky. According to authorities, the investigation follows numerous reports of alleged abuse and neglect dating back as far as last year.

Supporters of Sweetie are hoping prosecutors will prevent the dog's owner from regaining custody of the animal.

RELATED: Merced police take husky into protective custody amid animal cruelty investigation

"We are out here trying to convince the district attorney to never have this man have Sweetie back nor to never allow him to another animal," said Florence Lambert of the Merced SPCA Board of Directors.

The case has drawn widespread attention online after videos and photos of Sweetie went viral, including one image showing the dog in an extremely thin condition. Some residents said they witnessed the husky's condition firsthand.

"She looked very skinny, very not fed. She had the look in her eyes like he was making her run behind him really fast. She had a muzzle," Merced resident Melanie Matthews said.

Sweetie's situation drew an emotional response from Lambert.

"There are just no words. You even dream about it at night, and you wake up wanting to do everything you can to make sure this doesn't happen to animals ever again," Lambert said.

Matthews said Sweetie deserves a better future.

"She just needs to be helped. She just needs to be loved by someone who's going to take good care of her," she said.

Sweetie is now in protective custody. Merced police said officers spent weeks collecting and submitting evidence to the District Attorney's Office, where prosecutors will determine whether criminal charges will be filed.

The Merced SPCA said it received an update on Sweetie's condition from law enforcement earlier this week.

"They are the ones that advised us that Sweetie is doing as well as she can. She's eating, she's not cowering, she's a very loving dog," Lambert said.

"We are not going to disappear on this issue. This is an issue that needs to be addressed."

Advocates and activists are also encouraging residents to bring the issue to the attention of Merced city leaders. They are urging people to attend an upcoming City Council meeting on Monday and make their voices heard.

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