A tattoo artist in North Carolina tattooed his pet pit bull, Duchess. Ernesto Rodriguez is now under investigation by Stokes County Health Department and Animal Control for animal cruelty.
Rodriguez tattooed a 5-month-old American pit bull in a tattoo parlor and then ran out of his basement. The Army veteran said he inked Duchess for identification purposes, using an emblem that supposedly represents her bloodline.
"What do they do when they brand animals and tattoo horses on their ear and brand their cow? You're not abusing them. You're just protecting them so they don't get lost," Rodriguez told WXII 12.
Rodriguez is receiving mass criticism from animal rights activists after posting pictures of the tattoo on his personal Facebook. Animal control did visit the home and found him within the law, Rodriguez said Duchess was sedated when he tattooed her, and he had anesthetized the skin around the tattoo.
And according to Dr. Ken Wheeler, State Veterinary Medical Board Investigator, tattooing a pet is legal unless the dog is feeling pain.
However, County Health Officials issued a cease and desist order, prohibiting Rodriguez from tattooing humans or animals until he acquires the proper zoning permits for his basement shop.
While animal activists are up in arms at the apparent abuse, Rodriguez took to his Facebook to make his opinions known writing.
"Here is the final results for you haters out there."
"Animal control came looked at my beautiful dog and left ... wow ... what a waste of tax payers money ... so im still gonna tattoo my dogs when ever i feel like it ... good try haters thanks for all the advertisement."
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