Blue Phoenix: Once Abused ‘Bait Dog’ Transforms to a Joyful Life

The Maricopa Police Department is currently investigating a shocking case of animal abuse involving a man who was seen kicking and throwing a dog. The injured and emaciated dog, later named Blue Phoenix, was rescued by Rancho Mirage resident January Harrison after she witnessed the horrific incident.

On Monday night, Harrison observed the man abusing the pitbull-terrier mix while driving near Hartman and Honeycutt Roads. She described seeing the man, whom she identified as a California resident, pull over in his truck, retrieve the dog—initially mistaken for a bag of trash from a distance—and then proceed to kick and swing the animal by its tail. Disturbed by the scene, Harrison shouted at the man to stop, prompting him to flee the area.

Once the man left, Harrison found Blue Phoenix, who was terrified and crawled into her vehicle. Weighing only 30 pounds, the dog is believed to be significantly underweight, with a healthy weight estimated at around 55 pounds. Harrison immediately took Blue Phoenix to Tempe Pet Clinic, where veterinarian Steve Waldo agreed to treat him for free.

“I promise to give him all the love and kindness he deserves,” Harrison said, expressing her commitment to caring for the dog. “Every day’s going to be like Christmas for him.” She has since raised $185 to aid in the dog’s recovery and has reported the incident to the authorities, providing them with the man’s California license plate number BH52A92.

MPD spokesperson Monica Williams confirmed that the department takes reports of animal cruelty seriously and is actively investigating the case. “While there is no evidence of organized illegal dog fighting in Maricopa, we encourage community members to report such activities,” Williams stated. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with this incident.

Reports of this nature highlight the importance of community vigilance in ensuring the safety of animals. Harrison continues to share her story and her efforts to help Blue Phoenix through her social media channels.