Police arrested a Las Cruces man suspected of shooting and killing his fiancée’s 14-year-old Alaskan malamute after the dog bit him on Saturday.
Joel Armendariz, 35, of the 7500 block of Sierra Bella Place, is charged with one count of extreme cruelty to animals. The charge is a fourth-degree felony.
Las Cruces police learned that Armendariz and his fiancée live together along with her 14-year-old Alaskan malamute, named Chance, and his 7-year-old son. Investigators learned that about 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, Armendariz was washing his pickup when his son approached and mentioned that Chance was digging the newly-laid sod in the backyard.
Investigators learned that Armendariz went to the backyard and found that, indeed, the dog had damaged the sod. Armendariz reported became upset, grabbed the dog’s collar and began escorting the K-9 to a fence where he was going to tie up the pet. At that moment, the dog reportedly bit Armendariz’s right hand.
Armendariz indicated that he punched the dog’s face and then went inside where he retrieved a 9mm handgun. Armendariz told investigators he returned to the backyard where he shot the dog several times until it stopped moving. Investigators believe Armendariz fired four rounds that struck the dog.
A witness heard the gunshots and saw Armendariz kicking the dog violently while the K-9 was on the ground.
Investigators interviewed Armendariz at a local emergency room where he was being treated for the bite to his hand. His injury was relatively minor.
Armendariz was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center early Sunday morning and released the following day.
Information from Las Cruces Police