EL PASO, Texas -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a woman on charges of animal cruelty after they discovered deep larcerations on her dog's neck that could have led to his death.

"It's pretty severe because it's someone not looking at this dog for quite a while," said Dr. Nancy Harvey from the Country Club Animal Clinic.

Five-month-old Thumper, as he's being called at the Animal Rescue League, is recovering from a deep gash around his neck. Harvey showed KFOX pictures of what Thumper looked like when he went to her clinic on Tuesday.

"It's not just one night: it's not just a few days. I would say at least a month that it was digging in."

Harvey said the spiked collar was too small and could have eventually made a hole in his windpipe.

The dog's owner, Elva Ortega, 48, was arrested on animal cruelty charges. Her bond was set at $10,000, the highest animal advocates said they've seen in recent years.

"You can't get away with it anymore. It has to be brought to people's attention that this is not acceptable behavior," said Loretta Hyde the kennel director at Animal Rescue League.

Hyde said she's seen an improvement on the response from law enforcement agencies. Just last year, an Animal Control supervisor trained to be an animal cruelty investigator. Also, Jessie Miller with Animal Cruelty Heartline of El Paso trained sheriff's deputies on animal cruelty.

"I really think since the Sumter case with the pit bull that died in the suitcase and the other guy stomping the dog to death, all these things are really coming to everyone's attention," Hyde said.

Hyde said people need to report animal cruelty and neglect in order to prevent situations like the one Thumper was in.

"And if you can't take care of an animal and you don't want an animal, dont' get one. Just don't get one," said Hyde.

Thumper is still being treated, and the kennel is always in need of funds to help animals like Thumper. If you want to donate, you can call the Animal Rescue League at 877-5002.