An East Texas man accused of shooting a tied-up goat to terrorize a family member was arrested in Rusk County.
Roberto Castro, 34, of Kilgore, is charged with cruelty to a livestock animal, unlawful disclosure of intimate material, terroristic threat (family violence), possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated and driving with a invalid license. His bonds total $56,000.
According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday on County Road 117 North in the Kilgore area, deputies responded to allegations of domestic violence and cruelty to a livestock animal.
While responding to the scene, deputies found an injured Lamancha breed domestic goat that appeared to have been shot in the neck area. An investigation led to deputies finding a video of Castro firing multiple rounds from a handgun at the tethered domestic goat, the sheriff’s office said.
According to the RCSO, the deputies determined that Castro intentionally shot the goat to terrorize the family that he was angry with. Text messages also showed Castro made threats of injury and death to family members, and the texts showed he threatened to burn a house cat as well.
Town and Country Animal Hospital was told about the goat, responded to the scene and the animal is now in their care.
Castro was ultimately found using a vehicle, and during a traffic stop, he was initially charged with DWI and driving while license invalid. On Monday, investigators obtained warrants for the other charges.