STOCKTON — Three dogs that might have been sexually abused on a regular basis were rescued over the weekend by a nonprofit organization that seeks to bring attention to this type of mistreatment. Meanwhile, Stockton Animal Services has launched an investigation into exactly what happened to the dogs known as Emma, Ava and Lobo.

“We just want some attention and some justice,” said Cheryl Zuniga with the Stockton-based cat rescue Second Chance Kitty.

“This is really, really sad. Even though they have been through so much, they are the sweetest dogs. But they are afraid,” Zuniga said, adding that the dogs are being well-cared for now and receiving treatment through Venetian Pet Hospital in Lincoln Center.

Phillip Zimmerman, Stockton’s animal services manager, said Monday that police were informed over the weekend of “some possible sexual abuse that had occurred to some animals. We don’t have any solid evidence. We are interviewing people now.”

Zimmerman said that in his experience, including the past two years with the city shelter, he has never heard of a similar case.

“We really have very minimal information now. The rescue group will bring us evidence (today). That will help,” he said.

Zuniga learned of the dogs’ terrible situation — she has dubbed them “The Three Amigos” due to their obvious affection and need for each other — through social media and privately contacted the woman who made the discovery.

That woman had confronted the men who lived in a trailer on a lot in the 300 block of East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard where the dogs were being kept and “rented” for purposes of sex with men, she said. The residents of the lot, claiming they knew nothing about what was going on with the dogs, ended up giving the Three Amigos to the woman.

Zuniga arranged for her vet, Dr. Steven Ayres, to examine Emma, Ava and Lobo, and what he discovered was extremely disturbing, she said.

The two females — Emma, a terrier mix, and Ava, a pregnant pit bull — have obvious vaginal trauma, she said, and that both have serious vaginal infections and are being treated with antibiotics.

“They are very submissive, and their spirits are broken,” Zuniga said.

Lobo, a white male husky, showed no physical evidence of trauma except for a cut on his inner right leg. But he does act confused and compliant.

In a post, Zuniga wrote that Lobo “was happy to be reunited with his two friends.”

Anyone wishing to help cover the cost of care and treatment for the dogs can contact Venetian Pet Hosptial, 6610 Gettysburg Place, Stockton, CA 95207 or (209) 477-3926 and specify the Three Amigos; or visit PayPal online to make a donation to 2chancekittys@gmail.com.

— Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/goldeenblog and on Twitter @JoeGoldeen.

**UPDATE**Just received a call from our veterinarian's office with the following information. Ava was scheduled for...

Posted bySecond Chance Kitty on Sunday, November 27, 2016