CALGARY – A Calgary man has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly kicking a puppy in an attack on a school field.

Erin Tajiri says her five-month-old Corgi-mini/Australian Shepherd puppy named Lil-E was leashed and tied to a lawn chair while she was playing in a softball game at Father Lacombe High School.

Tajiri says a man walking across the field approached and the puppy stood waiting, wagging her tail in excitement.

But she says the man started running toward Lil-E and suddenly kicked her as though she were a football.

Witness Kim Ehrhardt says when he was confronted, the man said “dogs have no feelings.”

Lil-E had to have emergency surgery to reattach a piece of her shoulder blade that was broken off in the attack.

John Kueth-Teny, 40, has been charged with injuring an animal without lawful cause. If convicted, the accused could face up to five years in jail or a fine of up to $10,000.

In an effort to assist with Lil-E’s veterinary bills, a GoFundMe crowdfunding account was created. As of Thursday afternoon, donations have exceeded the organizer’s $5,000 fundraising goal.

(CTV Calgary)