Doña Ana County dog survives 29 stab wounds; alleged abuser not yet prosecuted
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The owner of a 6-year-old pit bull terrier allegedly stabbed the dog 29 times last December and the Doña Ana County Sheriff wants to know why the case hasn't been prosecuted.
DASO responded to a disturbance on Dec. 15, 2020 between two brothers, including 27-year-old Dagoberto Jimenez, in the 9400 block of Pluto Road, east of the Las Cruces city limits.
During their fight, according to an incident report obtained by ABC-7, Jimenez grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his dog, Gucci, 29 times leaving him for dead.
Deputies arrived and took the dog into custody. Jimenez would later give up ownership of the dog to the county. Gucci was treated by a vet and survived. $1,500 in vet bills paid by taxpayers was spent to save him.
Sheriff Kim Stewart told ABC-7 abuse towards animals is wide spread throughout the county, calling this particular case the "most egregious" act of animal abuse she's seen in her law enforcement career.
Stewart said the District Attorney's Office hasn't filed charges yet and wanted to know why. ABC-7 spoke to Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers who said the case has been held up because of the backlog during the pandemic. However, he said the case is expected to move forward with prosecution.
Stewart has gone on many animal abuse cases during her long career and she has never known of a dog being stabbed 29 times, let alone a dog stabbed 29 times and surviving. She says there aren’t many more egregious cases.
