Sign: Man Intentionally Burned Small Dog, Leaving Her With Excruciating Wounds

Published: March 07, 2024 at 07:16 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Nixon, TX – In late February, a grievously injured little dog wandered onto the porch of a resident in Nixon. The dog,  Phoenix, smelled like a “fire pit” and had wounds covering her entire body – someone had intentionally burned her.

4 Little Paws Rescue took the burned dog under its wing and with the support of the community, a proficient veterinary team, and generous donors, Phoenix, has beaten the odds and is still alive and fighting to recover from her widespread, excruciating burn wounds.

On February 27, the Nixon Police Department issued a press release announcing the arrest of 28-year-old Michael Villanueva.

It is impossible to understand how someone can do something THIS depraved and cruel to an innocent dog. But Michael Villanueva did – he intentionally caused this dog unimaginable pain. 

This was a vicious, evil, act of violence and Phoenix deserves justice. Please add your name to the petition today if you want to see this monster behind bars for as long as possible!

We the undersigned demand that Michael Villanueva, if found guilty, face the maximum sentence for his charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals. This petition acts as our collective endorsement for this individual to be punished to the fullest extent of the law for intentionally setting Phoenix, aka Cutie, on fire and causing her immeasurable pain and suffering. 

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News:

News 4 San Antonio

Kens5.com

Final update 10/29/2024: Michael Villanueva was sentenced on October 15, 2024.  While the animal cruelty felony charge was dismissed, as well as the assault on a family member case was dismissed.  Villanueva was sentenced to 20 years in prison for failure to register as a sex offender.  The case # is 54-24-B. Animal Victory thanks everyone who took the time to sign this petition. We are deeply disappointed that the animal cruelty charge was dismissed but pleased that this man will spend decades behind bars. It is our understanding that the animal cruelty charge was dismissed because of the length of time Villanueva was sentenced for the sex offender offense. Once again, we thank you for your support and for showing court officials that this case mattered. 

Updated 9/17/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge with updated signatures. 

Updated 9/6/2024:Michael Villanueva has a pre-trial motion and plea hearing scheduled for October 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. C.S.T.. 

Case # 70-24-B

Updated 7/16/2024: Michael Villanueva’s court was postponed. A new court date has not been scheduled.

Updated 6/17/2024: Updated  Michael Villanueva’s arraignment hearing has been rescheduled to July 16th at 9:00 a.m. C.S.T. in front of Judge William Old, III in the 25th Judicial District.

Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge with updated signatures.
Gonzales County Courthouse
414 St. Joseph Street
Gonzales, Texas 78629

Update 4/242024:Michael Villanueva is currently being held in jail. He has not yet been indicted on the felony animal cruelty case of setting Phoenix (now known as “cutie”) on fire. In 2014, Villanueva was charged with sexual assault and was arrested and is currently jail for violating his probation – which was failure to comply and register as a sex offender. The Grand Jury meets once a month,  Cutie has now undergone 40 skin grafts.

Updated 4/8/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge. 

Updated 3/19/2024: This case has gone to the Gonzales County Attorney’s office for review. At this time, they were unable to provide Animal Victory with information. We will  be following up in a few weeks.