Leo's Memory: Aid for Vet Costs and Justice

On the morning of February 20, around 11:30 AM, Leo was attacked by two large dogs while on a routine walk with my partner, Yahir Rivas, in his neighborhood. These dogs had been left unattended, with the main door of their home left open. As Yahir and Leo passed by, the dogs rushed out and brutally attacked them.

Leo was immediately rushed to an emergency vet in Newtown, where he was taken in right away. Not only was Leo severely injured, but Yahir was also hurt during the attack, suffering multiple bruises and wounds on his legs and arms. Leo, a small Yorkie-Shih Tzu mix, was just nine months old, and the injuries he sustained were devastating. The vet informed us that he had broken ribs and potential internal bleeding. An hour later, they confirmed the worst—Leo was experiencing internal bleeding, and due to the trauma and shock, his lungs were continuously filling with air, making it impossible for him to breathe properly.

To keep Leo alive, the vet had to insert a chest tube to drain the excess air from his lungs. This emergency procedure alone required an immediate $5,000 deposit, which Yahir gave without hesitation—all of his hard-earned savings. Hours later, we were given two options: placing Leo on continuous suction, a highly risky procedure for such a small dog, or performing exploratory surgery to remove the damaged part of his lung. Both options carried a significant risk of him not surviving.

At that time, I was rushing Yahir to the emergency room, as he was going into shock from his injuries and the trauma of the attack. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we were told that his insurance wasn’t accepted, and we had no money left for his care because we had used everything we had to try to save Leo.

As we were leaving the ER, we received another call from the vet—one that shattered us completely. They told us that, regardless of which option we chose, Leo had an extremely low chance of survival. His tiny body had endured too much, and his condition was only getting worse. We asked if we could go see him immediately, and they allowed us to.

When we arrived, they informed us that just 20 minutes before we got there, Leo had nearly passed away. Seeing him hooked up to all those tubes, struggling to breathe, was absolutely heartbreaking. Despite everything, the moment we walked in, his eyes lit up—he recognized us. We comforted him as best as we could, but in that moment, we knew. We knew he was in unbearable pain. His little body was shivering, and he was suffering. As much as we wanted to keep fighting, we couldn’t let him continue to suffer. So, with the heaviest hearts, we made the impossible decision to let him go.

Leo was Yahir’s first-ever pet, a beloved part of our family. He leaves behind his owners, his grandparents, and his big sister, Layla, who also witnessed everything and has been grieving his loss just as much as we are.

After everything, we were devastated to learn that the dogs that attacked Leo had a history of attacking other dogs. Tragically, Leo was the first to lose his life because of them. Witnesses came forward, speaking to animal control and the police about the incident. Yahir and I strongly believe that no dog is naturally aggressive—these dogs were failed by their owners, who left them in unsafe conditions. We are not asking for these dogs to be euthanized, but we do believe they should be rehomed to prevent further tragedies. The real responsibility lies with the owners who allowed this to happen.

Now, we are asking for your help. We need support to cover the overwhelming vet costs and to seek justice for Leo. No pet should have to suffer like this, and no family should have to endure this kind of heartbreak. Any amount you can donate, no matter how small, will help us with Leo’s medical expenses and our efforts to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this incredibly painful time. Your kindness means everything, and we hope that, together, we can honor Leo’s memory and prevent this from happening to another innocent pet.

Leo was more than just a dog—he was pure love wrapped in the fluffiest little body. From the moment he came into our lives, he brought an endless amount of joy, laughter, and warmth. He had this incredible way of making everyone feel special, whether they were family, friends, or even strangers he had just met. If you asked anyone about Leo, the first thing they would tell you is how he would jump up to reach for kisses, as if he couldn’t contain the love he had inside him.

Leo had the sweetest soul. He never met a person or an animal he didn’t want to play with. It didn’t matter if you were big or small, human or another pet—Leo saw everyone as a friend. He had this playful, loving energy that was contagious. The way he would wag his tail with excitement, give endless kisses, and bounce around with pure happiness made it impossible not to smile when he was around.

His kindness was unmatched. He wasn’t just a pet; he was family. He was the kind of dog who could brighten even the darkest days with just one look from his big, expressive eyes. He was gentle, affectionate, and always so eager to share his love. If you sat down, he’d be right there beside you, pressing himself against you just to be close. If you were sad, he would cuddle up, as if he knew exactly how to make things better.

Leo also had a best friend—his older sister, Layla. Before Leo, Layla was always shy and often kept to herself. She never really had anyone to play with, and for a long time, she was alone. But the day Leo arrived, everything changed. He brought out a side of her that no one had ever seen before. They became inseparable, running together in the fields, chasing each other, sharing their toys, and curling up next to one another at the end of the day. Leo wasn’t just her little brother; he was her best friend, her playmate, and her comfort. Losing him has left a hole in her heart, too, and she will deeply miss him.

Leo was also full of personality. He had his funny little quirks, like the way he’d tilt his head when he was curious, or how he would prance around the house after a bath, feeling extra fresh and playful. He had a way of making even the smallest moments feel special. Every morning, he would greet us like it was the best day of his life, tail wagging a mile a minute, ready to spread his love.

Losing Leo has left a void in all of our hearts that can never be filled. But even in this pain, we hold on to the love he gave us, the joy he brought into our lives, and the countless beautiful memories he left behind. He was the most adorable, sweetest boy, and we were so incredibly lucky to have had him, even if it wasn’t for nearly as long as we had hoped.

Leo, you were truly one of a kind. We will miss your kisses, your cuddles, your playful energy, and the way you made life so much brighter. You were a good boy—the best boy. And we will carry your love with us forever.

*All donations will go to all the vet costs & any future legal payments for this case*