A dog named Ace, who was allegedly abused, is now available for adoption after being rescued by Animal Control in New Bedford. On Thursday, police conducted an animal cruelty investigation at an apartment on Barker’s Lane, where surveillance footage revealed 32-year-old Female Mojica striking the small dog several times. Following the incident, Mojica was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
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Ace, an eight-month-old dog, was found with visible bruising and taken to an animal hospital for treatment. Following his recovery, he was surrendered to Animal Control and later transferred to Forever Paws Animal Shelter in Fall River, where he has been renamed Puffin.
Mojica has pleaded not guilty and is currently held on $1,500 cash bail, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for November 13 in New Bedford District Court.
Puffin weighs around 15 pounds and is a small poodle mix. Although shelter staff cannot guarantee his size or hypoallergenic status, they describe him as a typical energetic puppy in need of training and mental stimulation. Due to his history, he is best suited for households with children aged 10 years and older.
Forever Paws emphasizes that Puffin requires an active environment to thrive and is not suited for apartment living due to his high energy levels. Interested adopters are encouraged to fill out an application available on the Forever Paws website.
The New Bedford Police Department expressed gratitude to the Animal Control officers and the public for assisting in the rescue of Puffin, highlighting the importance of reporting suspected animal abuse.