Dog Attacked in Home Robbery

Burglars severely beat and stabbed a 20-pound dachshund named Moxy “within an inch of its life” as they ransacked a Ventura home Friday afternoon, police reported.

“To think this little watchdog was trying to protect her home,” a tearful Beth Pinsky said as she kept watch over her 5-year-old pooch Friday night. “These are real cowards.”

Pinsky said the black and tan Moxy was a noisy but harmless pet that has been with the family since she was 4 months old.

The dog was in shock Friday night and veterinarians believe it will suffer permanent brain damage if it survives, Pinsky said. The dog may also lose an eye, Pinsky said.

The owner added that her family cannot afford to put the dog in an emergency pet clinic and will try to nurse her back to health themselves.

“The material things you can replace,” Pinsky said, adding that the burglars took jewelry belonging to her mother, who died last week. In addition, thousands of dollars worth of stereo and electronic equipment was taken along with several bottles of liquor.

The Pinsky family discovered the damage about 4 p.m. when they returned home from work and school.

A South Coast Area Transportation bus driver told police that she saw three young men, carrying liquor, running from the area. They disappeared in the barranca behind the Pinsky house at about 2 p.m., she said. Police conducted a door-to-door search and combed the area with a canine unit, to no avail.

“They beat this poor little dog senseless and within an inch of its life,” Sgt. Bob Velez said. “There was blood all over the place.”