EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — An El Paso man was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
Deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office East Montana Patrol Station responded to a distressing animal welfare situation on Wednesday in the 3800 block of Zachariah.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered three dogs confined in small crates and a fourth dog deceased inside a cage.
The crates, secured and latched, lacked bedding or mats, leaving one dog asleep on the cold floor, officials said.
The surviving dogs exhibited severe signs of physical distress, including malnutrition and lethargy, as they had been forced to consume their own feces due to a lack of food, according to the news release.
The crates were filled with urine and feces, and the dogs’ ribs, shoulders, and hip bones were visible.
The dogs were barely moving and showed little interest in their surroundings, with no food or water provided.
With assistance from the Animal Welfare Department, the surviving dogs were rescued and transported for care.
However, due to the severity of their condition, the three surviving dogs were euthanized by the City of El Paso Animal Services.
Detectives from the East Montana Patrol Station conducted an investigation, resulting in the arrest of 47-year-old Cirilo Rodriguez.
He was charged with four counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a total bond set at $22,500.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office stated, “We will not tolerate animal cruelty and are committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions. We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who engage in acts that cause harm to animals or commit related offenses.”
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