Norwalk woman killed dog with box cutter, thought pet was possessed by the devil, warrant said

Blanca Ortiz was arrested last week, but Norwalk police say the investigation into Ortiz began over the summer, after her son called 911 to report his mother was going through a mental health crisis and may have killed the family dog. 48-year-old Blanca Ortiz is charged with animal cruelty and malicious wounding or killing of an animal, a felony charge, in connection with the death of her family's 7-year-old Yorkie named Gizmo. On July 23rd, police responded to Ortiz's home on Orlando Place, and say they found Gizmo critically injured, hidden under laundry in the driveway. She actually used a box cutter to stab the animal. The dog was still alive and rushed to VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center. Unfortunately, because of the extent of the injuries the dog suffered, the vet's best determined course of action was to euthanize the dog. According to Ortiz's arrest warrant, she told police she had killed the dog and was sorry. The warrant says Ortiz said she'd been using drugs and thought the dog was possessed by the devil and was trying to take her blood. Police also noted Ortiz continued rambling, expressing her regret, and mentioned hallucinations, such as seeing numbers on the walls. Officers transported her to a local hospital, where she was placed under a psychiatric hold. Police say Ortiz remained in treatment while they secured an arrest warrant. After her release, she turned herself in and was arraigned last week. She's being held on a $50,000 bond. Police also say animal control officers returned to the home the following day to check on the family's other pets. They found them to be healthy and being properly cared for. In Norwalk, Marissa Alter, News 12.