Ohio authorities say a man has been charged with animal cruelty after seriously harming a puppy in his care.

According to the Friendship Animal Protective League, a nonprofit animal shelter, an 8-month-old puppy named Ivy required life-saving emergency surgery after the severe incident.

“She no longer looked like herself,” Greg Willey, executive director at the Animal Protective League.

Viewer discretion advised: Some may find the details in this story upsetting.

Perkins Township police later identified the man accused of the incident as 41-year-old Terry Thomas.

Police said the reported attack happened after the puppy had accidentally gone to the bathroom inside Thomas’ house.

The animal care team said they first received a “frantic, early morning call” from Northview Animal Clinic staff on Saturday after someone brought the puppy into the clinic “bleeding from a large, serious wound on her face.”

Perkins Township police said Thomas had struck Ivy several times “with an unknown object.”

The animal shelter said the puppy’s injuries were the result of a “severe attack.”

“They had to repair her ear, which had been badly damaged. They had to treat a large open wound,” Willey said.

The humane team said they went to Animal Clinic Northview where Thomas signed Ivy over to them, who then authorized the veterinary team to “begin life-saving surgery.”

“The fact that they were able to piece her back together is truly incredible,” Willey said.

Ivy survived the surgery and remains in the care of the animal clinic as she recovers, the animal care team said.

“The road to recovery for this girl will be long, but despite everything she went through, we remain hopeful,” the team shared.

According to the animal shelter, once Ivy is medically cleared to be released from the clinic, she will go to a foster home.

The Animal Protective League said its humane team has presented evidence to the Perkins Township Police Department regarding Ivy’s injuries connected to Thomas.

He was booked into the Erie County Jail on one count of cruelty to animals, a fifth-degree felony.

“The most important thing is that he will not be allowed to own animals ever again,” Willey said.

Thomas is scheduled for a court appearance.

“Thanks to the incredible care of the team at Animal Clinic Northview, the dedication of our humane team, and the action of the Perkins Police Department, this sweet girl will have a second chance and the owner will face consequences for this deeply troubling case,” the Friendship Animal Protective League team shared in a statement.

According to Erie County Dog Warden Barb Knapp, Thomas is also facing an animal cruelty charge dating back to March 2022.

Willey said there’s been an alarming increase in animal abuse cases over the past several years and dozens of pets are still in need of love and support at the shelter.