A disturbing occurrence took place in Long Beach when a dog was stabbed while reportedly protecting its owner during an altercation. This incident, which occurred in the early hours of a Saturday morning, was confirmed by the Long Beach Police Department and is now under investigation as they search for the suspect involved.
According to eyewitness accounts and video evidence, two men believed to be homeless were engaged in a confrontation near 4th Street and Orange Avenue. When one of the men brandished a knife, the other man’s pitbull, evidently attempting to protect its owner, lunged at the armed individual and was stabbed at least once. The graphic footage of this event has prompted a response from residents and community members, some expressing concern for their safety and a change in the city's atmosphere, with one resident stating, "It's pretty sad to to hear things like that, especially growing up in Long Beach," as reported by FOX 11.
The dog, now identified as Mazzlyn, sustained serious injuries but is expected to recover after being initially denied care due to high medical costs. However, compassion was not absent from the streets of Long Beach – bystanders alerted Long Beach Animal Care Services, which, alongside the assistance of non-profit organizations, enabled Mazzlyn to receive the necessary treatment. "I can tell you that she loves her dog very much," Melanie Wagner, bureau manager for Long Beach Animal Care Services, stated about the bond between Mazzlyn and her owner. This sentiment was echoed by the president of Friends of Long Beach Animals, Lauren Campbell, in a statement emphasizing the organization's support.
Questions have arisen regarding police protocol after the incident, particularly concerning why Long Beach Animal Care Services wasn’t immediately contacted when the officers arrived on the scene. Fix Long Beach co-owner Sherri Stankewitz criticized this omission in an interview, "A dog was stabbed by a human and that would be animal abuse," told LB Watchdog, "I don’t know what their protocols are but I would think [Animal Care] would be called." Further, Stankewitz stressed that regardless of the owners' housing situation, crimes against animals deserve serious attention.
Community members and animal lovers wishing to help can contribute to Fix Long Beach or Friends of Long Beach Animals to support Mazzlyn’s recovery and other animals in need. The Long Beach Police Department continues to urge anyone with information on the incident to come forward as they seek the suspect responsible for this act of cruelty.
