Hillsborough County, FL – On May 1, deputies in Hillsborough County arrested a woman for Aggravated Animal Cruelty after watching a surveillance video of her viciously beating a senior Husky named Maya.
According to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Elizabeth Jaimes beat a nine-year-old Husky named Maya with a rubber mallet, breaking the dog’s bones and causing her to go blind in one eye.
The video footage of Jaimes beating Maya is difficult to watch, or more specifically, painful to listen to because of the dog’s agonized screams of pain from the repeated blows dealt by her abuser.
The wounded dog was taken to the Veterinary Emergency Group, where it was confirmed that she had multiple blunt-force head and back injuries, including spine and rib fractures, and was blind in one eye.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said:
“The actions of Elizabeth Jaimes are reprehensible. No animal deserves to be treated cruelly and inhumanely, and we will not tolerate it. Our team acted swiftly to take Maya into custody and provide her with emergency medical care.”
According to the authorities, Jaimes was living in the home with her boyfriend and his mother, who is Maya’s owner. The dog’s owner installed a hidden camera in her home after noticing that Maya was receiving injuries beginning around the time that Jaimes moved in. The release states:
That is when she discovered the disturbing abuse occurring at the hands of Jaimes. Jaimes admitted to hitting the dog because she had growled at her.
Please add your name to the petition today if you are outraged by Elizabeth Jaimes’ reprehensible actions. Maya endured unimaginable suffering due to this woman’s vile conduct, and it is crucial to prevent her from causing harm to any other animal.
We the undersigned demand that Elizabeth Jaimes is held responsible for viciously beating a senior husky named Maya. We are petitioning for Jaimes to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for the aggravated animal cruelty charge stemming from her cruel, abusive behavior. At sentencing, we also hope to see Jaimes prohibited from owning or residing with animals.
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.
Note: Following the arrest, Maya was reunited with her owner and is recovering at home. The owner has filed for an injunction on Jaimes.
News:
Final Update May 10, 2024: Victory!! Elizabeth Jaimes has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison, in addition to mandated anger management counseling, followed by three years of probation, and a requirement to register with the animal abuser registry. Jaimes is also not allowed to have any animals in her home. Animal Victory is grateful for this sentence, and we commend the Judge for holding Jaimes accountable. Thanks to everyone for their support of this petition!
Update March 27, 2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the Judge and DA with updated signatures.
Update March 12, 2024: Elizabeth Jaimes pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated animal cruelty with a weapon and six counts of aggravated animal cruelty: she agreed to an open plea. Sentencing will take place on May 10, 2024.
Update 11/28/2023: The disposition hearing was held on 11/27/2023. Pre-trial is scheduled for 3/12/2024, and the jury trial is scheduled for 3/18/2024. The Jury trial for Elizabeth Jaimes will be held in Courtroom 61, 401 Jefferson Street, Tampa, FL. 33602, Judicial Officer, Mark D. Kiser, is presiding.
Update 11/01/2023: Elizabeth Jaimes’s next court hearing is scheduled for 11/27/2023. Jaimes is charged with 10 Felony counts – 6 felony counts of torture/torment and 4 felony counts of aggravated cruelty with a weapon. Courtroom 61, 401 N Jefferson St. Tampa, FL 33602. Judicial Officer, Mark Kiser.
Update 9/14/23: Animal Victory spoke with judicial officer Mark Kiser. Elizabeth Jaimes’s scheduled court date is 11/06/2023 at 401 N Jefferson St. Tampa, FL 33602. This case is a felony.
Update 9/3/2023: The next case disposition is on September 7, 2023. The disposition of this next case will deal with options. Jaimes has pled not guilty. Karrie Becker, the solicitor, has confirmed that she received the package Animal Victory sent and she is moving forward with the prosecution of Elizabeth Jaimes.
Update 7/17/2023: Animal Victory has learned that this case is being dispositioned on 8/14/2023. The abuser has pled not guilty.
On 7/3/2023, Animal Victory sent cover letter and petition to the judge and to the court solicitor.
Update 6/15/2023: Virtual Arraignment is set on 6/20/2023 at 1:30 pm
Prior Signatures 22,536