El Paso Man Charged After Alleged Animal Abuse, Community Takes Matters Into Their Own Hands

Last week, an El Paso man was arrested for alleged animal abuse against puppies. The authorities say that 61-year-old Carlos Fernandez was first investigated after an injured pit bull puppy was discovered at his home. Only three months later, police responded to another report of another puppy being abused, and the police say that the animal’s injuries are consistent with animal cruelty. While in jail, community members took matters into their own hands.

Many residents were appalled by the news of alleged animal abuse. Neighbors had videotaped Fernandez with one of the puppies, according to ABC-7 News.

“I saw what he had done(on the news) and I honestly can’t believe that someone can do these types of things,” one neighbor said.

The neighbors have banded together to try to find more evidence that the authorities can use against the El Paso man. In one of the video recordings, he is allegedly seen throwing one of the puppies into the air and then allowing the puppy to simply fall to the ground.

“I found out they had already given the video to animal services back in August and for whatever reason they didn’t follow through on the video,” Loretta Hyde, founder of Animal Rescue League told KFOX14, adding that someone in the Kern Place neighborhood tipped her off to the animal abuse. “You don’t know what’s going on or what this little puppy had to endure before he finally killed him. It’s is just unconscionable.”

In that video, the El Paso man is seen choking a dog and slamming it to the ground. Another video showed that same dog limping, apparently from the injuries sustained from the alleged abuse.

Neighbors also took photos of a fan that was broken and had blood on it. Neighbors say that he threw a dog into that fan. They say that at least 18 complaints have been made against the man about animal abuse they have collectively witnessed. One neighbor said that when he saw Fernandez leave a puppy in the middle of the road, it was cowering and shaking, and Fernandez told him that he was simply training the dog. The neighbors all say the El Paso man would get dogs off of Craigslist.

Some neighbors have done more than try to find additional charges to bring against him though. His home was recently vandalized. His house has been egged. According to ABC-7 News, eggshells are all over the mans lawn. The home has been spray painted, and the words “PETA” and “KILLR” are prominently displayed on the front of his home. PETA is the acronym for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Community members with El Paso Pets have posted flyers around the town looking for witnesses who may have given Fernandez a dog, hoping to build an even stronger case against the alleged animal abuser.

“If you see something going on then become part of the neighborhood and try to make it a better place by doing the right thing,” another unidentified resident implored.

Most of the residents were too fearful of the El Paso man to allow the media to use their names, because of the severity of animal abuse they claim they have witnessed.