Tampa woman who beat husky with mallet sentenced to Florida State Prison

Garrett Phillips
·2 min read
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Tampa woman who beat husky with mallet sentenced to Florida State Prison

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A 25-year-old woman who was caught on camera beating her boyfriend’s dog with a mallet has been sentenced, the State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial Circuit announced Friday.

Elizabeth Jaimes was charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon, and six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals (torture or torment.) She was sentenced to five years and 10 months in Florida State Prison.

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In August 2022, Jaimes moved into a Tampa home with her boyfriend, his mother, and their husky, Maya, the State Attorney’s Office said.

When the mother noticed unexplained cuts on Maya’s head and the dog struggling to walk, her veterinarian told the family to set up a hidden camera. Two days later, Jaimes was seen on video hitting Maya 38 times with a rubber mallet, beating and kicking her an additional 26 times, and restraining the dog on a leash.

“We’ll never understand how this defendant could ruthlessly beat any animal, let alone a gentle soul like Maya. I thank Maya’s owners for being her voice and testifying in court today to ensure this defendant will be held accountable for her horrific actions. A prison sentence sends a strong message that we do not tolerate animal cruelty in Hillsborough County,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Animal control said Maya was lucky to survive her injuries, which included multiple fractures to her eye sockets, cheekbones, spine, and ribs. Maya was also blind in one eye due to the blunt force trauma, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

Following her prison sentence, Jaimes will have to serve three years probation, must take anger management classes, and is not allowed to own any animals. The State Attorney’s Office said she will be added to the Hillsborough County Animal Abuser Registry.

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