EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A man, previously convicted of animal cruelty and placed on probation after his five-year prison sentence was suspended, was arrested after allegedly dragging and kicking a puppy, according to the El Paso Police Department.
Carlos Jose Fernandez, 73, was charged with two counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals (torture) and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on Sunday, August 15, with a $50,000 total bond.
Carlos Fernandez. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Police Department.
The EPPD’s Animal Cruelty Unit investigated an incident that happened on July 8 that involved a 2-month-old puppy.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a witness reported that Fernandez dragged and kicked a puppy on hot pavement. Fernandez was also accused of restricting the puppy’s airway by pulling on its collar before placing the dog inside a shopping bag, according to a news released sent out by EPPD on Wednesday, August 19.
Fernandez allegedly voluntarily relinquished ownership of the puppy. A veterinary exam on the animal confirmed the puppy sustained burns on all four paws and a fractured rib, EPPD said.
Photos courtesy of the El Paso Police Department.
The puppy was surrendered to El Paso Animal Services for continued care. Fernandez was arrested this month and also issued a citation for unlawful possession of a canine.
In 2022, Fernandez was arrested and charged with animal cruelty for torturing another small puppy at Ponder Park.
El Paso man arrested, facing animal cruelty charge for allegedly torturing puppy
He was sentenced on Feb. 8, 2024, for cruelty to non-livestock animals by torture. A judge sentenced him to 5 years in prison, but that prison sentence was suspended for five years. A review hearing for the 2022 crime is scheduled for August 21 at 10 a.m. before Judge William E. Moody.
Jail records show Fernandez remain in custody as of Wednesday, August 19.
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