Suspect arrested after allegedly throwing dog into a backyard to be killed by larger dogs

SAN ANTONIO (WOAI/KABB) — A suspect has been arrested after throwing a small dog over a fence to be killed by much larger, vicious dogs.

Xavier Rene Martinez, 20, has been arrested and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals.

Court records allege that police received a call from a witness saying a man had thrown his dog over a fence into a yard with much larger, violent dogs, and that the dog was being attacked.

The witness claimed that when she attempted to confront the man, he ran away from the scene.

Animal Care Services (ACS) responded to the scene and quickly rushed the injured dog to an emergency vet. Unfortunately, the dog succumbed to its injuries.

Police were able to determine that Martinez was the owner of the dog that had been killed.

Police then met with Martinez, where he claimed that his dog, Shadow, had bit him, and he no longer wanted to care for the animal. He said he ultimately decided to leave his dog at a house on San Gabriel, where he knew other dogs were.

Martinez said he dropped the dog over the fence and left the scene, and also said he was unsure if the homeowners were there at the time and were able to properly care for his dog.

Martinez is currently being held at Bexar County Jail on a $7,500 bond.