A young dog is fighting for his life after he and his owner, a Massachusetts woman, were beaten up by her boyfriend in Carver.
"Right now his life is at stake," the victim said of Cooper, a 3-year-old Spaniel mix. "His kidneys were badly damaged. He has bruising all over his body, possible liver laceration, there's blood in his abdomen."
The woman, who does not want to be identified, spoke exclusively with necn Friday.
"I'm devastated," she said. "That's, like, my child. I feel incredibly guilty that this happened to him. There was nothing I could do to protect him."
The woman says she was tied up, attacked and had to watch as her dog was beaten up, as well.
"I'm bruised and sore," she said. "Unfortunately, my dog got more of the attack than I did. Mentally, I am a complete mess."
Prosecutors say 29-year-old Matthew Devaney is now being held without bail, accused of the crime which took place over several hours.
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The woman says it started with just a minor argument about household chores. Investigators say Devaney tried to run when they tracked him down.
"What he did to me, and especially my dog, is disgusting," the woman said.
Friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay the costs for Cooper's treatment. As of 10 p.m. Friday, nearly $16,000 had been raised.
"It's restored by faith in humanity," the woman said. "Without everybody's support and generosity, I wouldn't be able to give Cooper the treatment he needs."
