Newport Beach Golden Retriever Allegedly Dumped as Sick Stray: Owner Faces Two Years in Jail if Convicted

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — There are consequences when people commit cruelty to animals, and Orange County District Attorney, Tony Rackauckas is just one voice making sure this story is heard.

The golden retriever, dubbed "Henry" by the Newport Beach Police Department Animal Control staff, stands as a symbol for preventing animal cruelty after his former owner allegedly dumped the dog with a 42-pound tumor at an animal hospital as a stray.

"Henry the golden retriever, the Newport Beach Police Department, Animal Control, and the Orange County District Attorney's office, and Supervisor Michelle Steel held a press conference to discuss the resources available to citizens who find themselves unable to care for their pets," Rackauckas said.

His former owner, Sherri Haughton, was charged with several misdemeanors including life-endangering animal neglect, failure to care for an animal, animal abandonment and interfering with the duties of an animal control officer, all misdemeanors, according to Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Malone.

Haughton, who could face up to two years in jail if convicted at trial, was scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 13.

On May 12, she went to AAA Animal Hospital in Huntington Beach and told veterinarians that she found a stray on the beach, Malone said. Her dog, Henry, was having trouble walking and couldn't lift his leg to urinate because of the tumor, Malone alleged.

Haughton allegedly was told by a veterinarian earlier that the dog needed care for the tumor, but Malone declined comment on why she failed to seek medical treatment or why she took the dog to the animal hospital and allegedly claimed it was not her pet.

Henry now is living with a foster family in Orange County, Malone said. The dog had the tumor surgically removed nearly a week after he was dropped off at the animal hospital, Malone said.

"As of right now, Henry's a happy dog," said Animal Control Officer Nick Ott.

Newport Beach police, animal control officers, Malone, the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Supervisor Michelle Steel urged owners of ailing pets Wednesday to turn their animals over to authorities if they cannot afford veterinary care.

It would have cost Haughton $81 to turn the dog over to Newport Beach's animal control officers, who would have foot the bill for the surgery, Malone said. Instead, the Newport Coast woman is facing criminal charges, the prosecutor said.

"No animal should be subjected to needless pain and suffering," Malone said.

Haughton is also accused of slowing down treatment of the dog and the investigation of her by producing a false ID to officials, Malone said.

Photo, courtesy Newport Beach Police Department