DOG OWNER ARRESTED AFTER 5 MONTH OLD PUPPY IS FOUND WITH SEVERE INJURY
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938 
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Direct: (915) 538-2119
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date / Time: Thursday , JUNE 11, 2009 10:15 AM
SECTION: El Paso County Sheriff's Office – UPPER VALLEY PATROL
EVENT: DOG OWNER ARRESTED AFTER 5 MONTH OLD PUPPY IS FOUND WITH SEVERE INJURY
LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 6900 block of ALTO REY EL PASO COUNTY, TX
DATE / TIME: TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2009 2:25 PM
RESULT: ARREST MADE
UPPER VALLEY- Tuesday afternoon 06-09-09 at 2:25 PM, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the Animal Rescue League located at 7256 La Junta El Paso County, TX in reference to animal cruelty. Deputies arrived and met with officials at the animal rescue who told authorities they had received a small male canine with a large laceration approximately 4 inches long. Deputies observed a collar to be severely embedded into the canine`s flesh. The collar had 4 silver spikes and 4 silver beads in which the spikes were pressing into the open wound. The collar which was too small for the canines neck was removed to prevent further pain.
Animal rescue Officials accompanied by Sheriff’s Deputies, transported the canine to the Country Club Animal Clinic located at 5470 Doniphan El Paso, Texas. Animal Doctors quickly tended to the canine later advising Sheriff’s Officials that the laceration on the animal would have caused its death if not immediately treated.
Animal Doctors determined the collar was approximately 25.7cm in length from the first hole & stated the canines neck circumference was approximately 31cm. it was later determined the 5 month old canine was wearing a collar sized for an 8 week old canine. Animal Doctors also determined the canine had been choking on the collar for approximately a month. Medical Officials stated the laceration to the canine`s neck was 9.3cm in length, 2cm in width, and 1.2cm in depth & advised Sheriff’s Officials the spikes on the collar would have eventually penetrated into the canine`s windpipe.
After the medical findings & an extensive investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies, information on the canines owner was received. Deputies responded to an apartment complex in the 6900 block of Alto Rey El Paso, TX. Deputies met with the resident who told them she knew why they were there. Deputies observed the living condition of the residence & found living conditions for a canine were not good as there was no dog food in the bowl & a dog food bag with little food remaining.
Deputies arrested & charged the canine owner with CRUELTY TO NON-LIVESTOCK ANIMALS: TORTURE. The offender is identified ELVA ORTEGA (48) of the 6900 block of Alto Rey El Paso, TX. She was booked and remains at the El Paso County Detention Facility.
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ARRESTED:
ELVA ORTEGA (48)
CHARGES:
CRUELTY TO NON-LIVESTOCK ANIMAL: TORTURE- $10,000 BOND
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
NO OTHER INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME
End of News Release
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.