A year and a half after being arrested on animal cruelty charges, Bridgeport veterinarian Dr. Amr Wasfi was back in handcuffs Thursday morning outside Black Rock Animal Hospital.

Authorities say a healthy 10-week-old American bully named Lyrics was burned to death while under the doctor’s care. Police say the dog was left unattended on a heating blanket. 

"I'm still heartsick that my baby's gone. That's like my son," said owner Eric Jones, who brought the dog to the vet for a routine procedure in September.

When he came back the next day, the vet allegedly told Jones that his puppy had died of parvo. 

"My pup was on the table, covered up, so I took the covers off of him and then I said, ‘Hold up, something ain't right’ pointing to burns underneath his body. “He was trying to hide what he had done to my dog."

Jose Valentin, of Bridgeport, says he went to the police in 2018 after Wasfi came close to killing his dog. It was that case and others that led to his earlier arrest.

"I'm glad that somebody else finally came forward to try and to him shut down."

Authorities say Wasfi has continued to practice because, due to COVID-19, his earlier case has not yet been ruled upon.

Capt. Brian Fitzgerald said plainly to News 12: “We're just encouraging people at this point -- don't bring your animals to this hospital."

Wasfi's bond was set at $10,000.

Anyone who brought a pet to Black Rock Animal Hospital and wishes to report abuse or complaints can contact Detective Paul Nikola at (203) 581-5250 or paul.nikola@bridgeportct.gov.