Lee County woman facing charges of animal abuse

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- WINK News is uncovering a horrific case of animal abuse.

A Yorkie was stabbed and beaten; deputies say it’s one of the worst cases of this kind they’ve ever seen.

The suspect Adelle Cochrane was placed under arrest.

Less than a month ago, no one thought the Yorkie would make it off the operating table.

“This was indescribable, what this person did to this poor dog,” said Lee County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Schall.

The dog had been stabbed twice, allegedly by his owner Cochrane.

Cochrane, who deputies say is homeless, brought the dog into Special Veterinarian Services last month.

She told veterinarians there that “I blacked out, I did not mean to stab him.”

“It’s horrendous, it’s just pathetic,” said Schall, “why she stabbed the dog in the first place, we still don’t know.”

Vets say Cochrane told them the dog bit her, so she stabbed him a few times. Police say she claims she was angry, and lost control and that she couldn’t remember anything else.

“There is no excuse in the world, you could use for treating a dog like this,” said Schall.

Vets say the blood had dried by the time they got him, meaning the dog had suffered for several hours without help.

Cochrane is charged with two counts of animal cruelty. She is facing up to 10 years in prison.

As for her former dog, well he’s doing just fine.

“The dog is doing better, obviously it has a ways to go but the dog is on the mend and in good care right now.”

Right now, the dog does not have a name. Animal services is looking for a good home for the dog.