Arrest made in case of dead poodle and starving boxer puppy found in bathroom

LUTZ — A man accused of leaving two dogs in an apartment bathroom for two weeks while vacationing in Las Vegas was arrested on four counts of cruelty to animals Sunday.

Gabriel Aquirre, 35, was at his apartment at 15420 Livingston Ave when authorities showed up with a warrant. On June 6, they'd found an adult female poodle dead and a boxer puppy severely emaciated, with no food or water in sight. The poodle belonged to Aquirre's mother, who was with him on the trip, said Marti Ryan, spokeswoman for Hillsborough County Animal Services.

The boxer, now named Neicy in honor of an animal services investigator, is in foster care, improving slowly.

Aquirre's bail was set at $2,000.