(July 30, 2024) — Oscar Alvarez (DOB 05/19/63) has been charged with animal cruelty in reference to a complaint from VetNow Urgent Care on NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, Florida.
On April 28, 2024 at around 12:55 PM, Alvarez took Titan, an 8-year-old Male Shih Tzu, to VetNow regarding a large mass the size of a baseball that was covering Titan’s face and started to rupture. The mass was making it difficult for Titan to breathe and he couldn’t eat or drink. There was a foul smell emitting from Titan’s face and the mass.
The veterinarian told an officer with the Cape Coral Police Department that the large mass was obliterating the entire center of Titan’s face from his upper forehead to beyond the tip of his nose. His nose was compressed and distorted, causing Titan to wheeze heavily and have major difficulty breathing. The mass was in the process of rupturing and had grown so large, it was completely obscuring Titan’s right eye. Ultimately, Titan’s quality of life was very poor, and he was suffering.
The veterinarian said he explained to Alvarez that the mass was left to go too far for too long, and Titan was beyond help. Titan had no quality of life left, and humane euthanasia was his only option.
The investigation revealed that Alvarez took Titan to VetNow in October of 2023 in reference to a lump on his nose and eye discharge. At that time, Titan had difficulty breathing through his nose. The veterinarian said the lump and his nose were infected, causing the discharge. The doctor recommended radiographs, complete blood work, and electrolytes, but Alvarez declined all of them due to finances. Alvarez was sent home with a seven-day supply of medication to treat a heart condition and the nasal mass, and explained that Titan’s prognosis is poor and to re-check with his regular veterinarian as soon as possible. Alvarez failed to follow up with veterinary care after Titan’s visit in October of 2023.
Titan no longer had medication to treat his heart condition or the mass, as he was provided with only a 7-day supply by VetNow. The mass continued to grow through Titan’s face, causing unnecessary pain and suffering. Titan had severe difficulty breathing based on the extensive wheezing that could be heard. The mass was obstructing his nostrils and completely pushed Titan’s right eye back into his head as it grew over the eye. A major infection was growing from the mass. Titan was unable to eat or drink and was suffering from the large mass on his face.
For that reason, VetNow contacted Lee County Domestic Animal Services after the April 28 visit because Alvarez failed to provide immediate vet care after the first visit in October 2023. Titan’s unnecessary pain and suffering could have been prevented if Alvarez had followed up with his veterinarian as instructed.
The investigation also revealed Alvarez canceled Titan’s wellness plan at his regular veterinarian in June of 2022, claiming he gave Titan away. Titan’s last visit to that veterinarian was in January of 2022 for an illness check. At that time, there was no visible mass, but the doctor warned Titan may have one because he had nasal discharge, signs of a narrowing airway, and his heart rate was irregular. The doctor also said if Alvarez did not follow up, it would be detrimental to Titan\’s health, but those warnings were ignored.
The State Attorney’s Office signed off on a warrant for the arrest of Oscar Alvarez for Felony Animal Cruelty.
On July 25, 2024, Alvarez was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and taken to the Lee County Jail on the following charge:
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 828.12(2), Animal Cruelty
Arrested: Oscar Alvarez (DOB 05/19/63)
Titan: 8-year-old male Shih Tzu
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