Vancouver Island woman charged after dog suffers crushed skull and chest

A Vancouver Island woman is facing animal cruelty charges after a seven-year-old teacup Chihuahua was left severely beaten.

Kylie Nikkels of Courtenay faces two counts of animal cruelty and will make her first court appearance on Oct. 20.

The female Chihuahua, named Bianca, belonged to Nikkels’ grandmother and sustained the injuries on April 9 when she was left alone in the home with Nikkels.

The dog was later taken to a veterinary clinic, suffering from severe haemorrhaging and a crushed skull and chest.

The dog had to be euthanized because it was in critical distress, according to the BC SPCA investigators.