Dog tied to a post strangled in Ukiah

A Ukiah couple face animal cruelty charges for leaving their dog tied to a post, resulting in its strangling.

Juan Fernando Favila Alvarez, 62, and Loreto Gracia Favila, 53, also were cited for failing to provide an adequate exercise area for the animal, according to the Ukiah Police Department.

Police went to their home in the 1300 block of North Bush Street on Saturday afternoon in response to a call of a dog in distress. Before they arrived, the caller phoned again to say the dog had died.

The dog had been secured to a post on the back porch by a cable. The dog apparently had wrapped the cable around the post several times, causing the cable to tighten around the animal’s neck, police said.

Police said they also found an empty food and water bowl on the porch but out of reach of the dog after the cable shortened.

Police phoned the owners, who said they had left home on Friday and planned to return Sunday. The owners contacted police when they returned.