A shocking case of animal cruelty has emerged from the Villa Juana sector of the National District, where Mildred Margarita Victoriano stands accused of deliberately scalding a protective mother dog with boiling water. The incident occurred on April 11, 2025, when the canine was shielding her puppies from rainfall near the defendant’s residence.
Judicial proceedings advanced this Thursday as Judge Patricia Padilla of the Second Court of Instruction imposed coercive measures against Victoriano, requiring periodic court appearances and an 8,000 peso economic guarantee. The court has reserved its ruling on whether the case will proceed to full trial, with a decision scheduled for February 5.
According to animal welfare advocates, this represents an escalation of violence against the defenseless animal. Lourdes Rodríguez of the National Animal Protection Foundation and Rodríguez Canine Shelter revealed that Victoriano had previously attacked the same dog with battery acid just one day before the scalding incident. Even more disturbingly, rescuers claim the woman had previously kicked the dog while pregnant, resulting in the death of her puppies.
The victimized animal sustained catastrophic injuries, with rescuer William Betances reporting burns covering approximately 80% of its body. The dog currently resides in a foster home undergoing extensive recovery, while her puppies fortunately remained unharmed during the attacks.
Animal protection organizations faced significant barriers during the legal process. Betances, Rodríguez, Guillermina Selman of Ecoportal Dominicana Foundation, and other advocates were prohibited from attending the preliminary hearing after the judge determined they lacked formal ownership of the animal. This exclusion highlights systemic challenges in pursuing animal cruelty cases within the Dominican justice system.
The case unfolds under Law 284-12, which establishes penalties of up to one year imprisonment and fines equivalent to fifty times the minimum wage for animal cruelty convictions, with doubled penalties for repeat offenders.