Dog Owner Arrested After Pet Found Starving on Feces-Covered Balcony

Shocking Discovery in San Antonio Apartment

A 22-year-old San Antonio woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges after deputies discovered her severely underweight dog living on a feces-covered balcony without food or water . The case came to light Wednesday when Bexar County deputies responded to the 5500 block of Mansion Bluff after neighbors reported seeing a dog on a balcony "in horrible condition" .

The owner, Giovanni Leija, told deputies she had owned the pit bull/boxer mix for about five years, but when officers examined the animal inside the apartment, they observed a dog so emaciated that its ribs and hip bones were clearly visible . On the patio, authorities found two empty, dry bowls and numerous piles of feces, indicating the dog had been confined there for an extended period .

Perhaps most disturbing, authorities said Leija admitted she had forgotten to feed the dog . While she claimed to feed the animal each morning before work and said it was typically kept inside, she acknowledged the dog remained on the patio while she was away .

Professional Assessment Confirms Neglect

An animal control officer with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office examined the dog and confirmed it was underweight, estimating the animal to be about 6 to 7 years old based on gray hair around its muzzle . Sheriff Javier Salazar noted that the owner couldn't remember the last time the dog had seen a veterinarian .

The owner reportedly told law enforcement that a newborn baby was making it difficult to care for the pet, but Sheriff Salazar said that was no excuse . "That dog seems like it's been neglected for a long time," Salazar stated .

Deputies determined the dog's physical condition, combined with the state of the patio and lack of food and water, clearly indicated neglect . Leija was arrested and booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on a charge of animal cruelty .

Part of Broader Animal Cruelty Investigations

This case was one of two separate animal cruelty investigations that resulted in eight dogs being seized by Bexar County authorities . The second case involved seven dogs found in an RV functioning as "one big kennel" with caked feces and urine, creating life-threatening ammonia levels .

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenge animal control officers face in protecting vulnerable pets from neglect and abuse. San Antonio residents can report animal-related incidents by contacting 311 either by phone or through online requests .

The case serves as a stark reminder that pet ownership requires consistent care and attention, regardless of personal circumstances. When life changes make pet care challenging, responsible owners should seek help from animal welfare organizations or consider rehoming rather than allowing animals to suffer from neglect.