An El Paso judge denied a bond reduction for a man accused of abandoning a box of puppies in a Fabens desert, stating “anybody who leaves seven puppies to die should remain in jail.”
El Paso Magistrate Judge Ruben Nuñez denied a bond reduction for 54-year-old Carlos Flores of Fabens, Texas, during a teleconference bond hearing on Sunday, April 26.
Flores was arrested on suspicion of cruelty to non-livestock animals after law enforcement received a report of seven small puppies, approximately three weeks old, found inside a box in a desert on March 26 near the 600 block of NE G Avenue in Fabens.
Flores and his attorney, public defender Joshua Keton, requested that Flores’ bond be reduced from a $10,000 surety bond to a personal recognizance bond, also known as a PR bond. A PR bond would allow Flores to be released from jail without paying bond as long as he follows the conditions set by the judge.
Keton argued that Flores did not have the money to pay the bond, was not a threat to the community and was struggling with mental health issues.
El Paso District Attorney’s Office Assistant District Attorney Ashley Martinez requested that the bond reduction be denied because Flores allegedly lied to deputies about the incident before confessing to abandoning the puppies.
Nuñez denied the bond reduction request “based on the nature and circumstances of the alleged offense.” He also ordered that Flores undergo a mental health evaluation.
Flores asked the Nuñez, “I won’t be able to get a PR bond, sir?”
Nuñez replied, “I’m not going to give you a PR bond, sir. Okay? Anybody who leaves seven puppies to die should remain in jail.”
Flores remains jailed on the $10,000 bond as of Wednesday, April 29, jail logs show.
Puppies found abandoned in Fabens desert
El Paso County Animal Welfare Department staff responded to a report of abandoned puppies found inside a box in the desert in Fabens on March 26, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Priscilla I. Contreras said in a Tuesday, April 28, news release.
There were seven small puppies, approximately three weeks old, inside the box. The puppies were taken to El Paso Animal Services for “proper care and placement,” the release states.
With assistance from community members, El Paso deputies on April 13 identified Flores as the man who allegedly dumped the puppies in the desert.
The deputies confronted Flores about the puppies, but “he lied about it at first and then changed his story,” Martinez said during Sunday’s bond hearing.
Deputies told Flores they had witnesses and photos of him leaving the puppies in the desert, which led him to”finally admitting to it,” Martinez said.
Deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Flores on Friday, April 24. He was arrested on suspicion of cruelty to non-livestock animals.
“Animal cruelty is something we take very seriously,” El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said in a statement. “Those who harm or neglect animals will be held accountable, and we will continue working with our community to ensure the safety and well-being of all.”
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso judge: ‘Anybody who leaves 7 puppies to die should remain in jail’
Reporting by Aaron Martinez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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