Owner Charged In Pit Bull Cruelty Case In Anthony

By Miguel Martinez

ANTHONY, N.M. — Charges of dogfighting and extreme cruelty to animals were filed againstan Anthony man.The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Animal Control division removed nearly two dozen pit bulls from the home of Gustavo Solis on Thursday night.

Solis, 45,was charged Friday morning after investigators were tipped off to the home on Venadito Trail. Investigations yielded dogfighting paraphernalia and a pen for fighting the animals in the backyard.

Several of the dogs seized had wounded and appeared to be emaciated. Some of the animals were so severely injured they wereunable to walk, investigators said.

Twelve to fourteen adult dogs and six to seven pups were recovered in the operation. Solis denied the allegations, butdidgive up his right tothe animals toanimal control custody before his arrest.

The animalsare now readyto be adopted out. Sheriff’s spokesman Curtis Childress said his unit should be able to find a good home for the dogs.