Newport Beach woman accused of abandoning dog with 42-pound malignant tumor at animal hospital

The former owner of a golden retriever named Henry, who in May was left at a Newport Beach animal hospital while stricken with a 42-pound malignant tumor, is facing criminal charges.

Orange County prosecutors announced during a news conference Wednesday that they had filed two counts of animal cruelty, one count of animal abandonment and one count of interfering with an investigation — all misdemeanors — against Henry’s former owner, Sherri Haughton, 52, of Newport Coast.

If convicted, Haughton would face a maximum sentence of two years in jail, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Haughton was not arrested but is expected to be arraigned in Orange County Superior Court on Jan. 13.

“When we adopt a pet into our home, it becomes more than a pet; it becomes the center of our family,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Jennifer Malone said. “We need to keep in mind we have certain responsibilities to care for our pet. At no point should a dog be suffering like that.”

Newport Beach animal control officers launched an investigation into Henry’s plight after he was left at an animal hospital with the massive tumor on his right side. The growth nearly doubled his body weight and impeded his ability to walk.

When Haughton got to the animal hospital with Henry on May 12, she told employees that she had found the dog on the beach, according to investigators.

Animal control staff took custody of Henry, and he received thousands of dollars worth of veterinary care, which was paid for by donations.

Fry writes for Times Community News.