Man Faces Animal Cruelty Charges After Allegedly Starving The Family Dog To Death

Last Tuesday a dog was found extremely dehydrated and emaciated in Anthony, N.M. The dog has since died and it’s owner has now been charged.

Investigators say chow-mix had 0 percent body fat and weighed 24 pounds when they found him. That’s less than half of the healthy weight for that breed.

Anthony Residents shared their shock and outrage in regard to this severe case of animal abuse.

“Oh man that’s bad.” said Anthony resident Donald Nelson after seeing a photo of the malnourished pet. “Nobody should be doing that to an animal.”

“It’s terrible, it’s sad,” said Anthony resident Lourdes Benavidez. “I don’t know how somebody could do that.”

Sherrifs investigators say the dog was found on the 400 block of Timber Street, in the yard of 35-year-old Christopher Morales. A Dona Ana County spokeswoman said Morales claimed it was his 14-year-old son’s responsibility to feed the dog.

“You can’t rely upon a child,” said Nelson. “They go ahead, and they have other things on their mind and everything. The parents should go ahead and take care of the animal before they go to work. (The parents should) make sure the animal’s got water and food and a bowl. I mean it’s easy.”

Sherrifs investigators said Morales claimed the last time he remembered feeding the dog was on Oct. 15, when he said he gave the animal a pack of hot dogs.

Morales was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Facility last Thursday on a charge of felony cruelty to animals, with a $2,000 bond.