El Mirage police said 44-year-old Russell Files was booked into a Maricopa County jail Tuesday.
Police were called to Files’ home in the 14000 block of North 130th Avenue on Dec. 18 after receiving a call about an alleged animal cruelty situation.
When officers arrived, they reported finding a 2-year-old Australian cattle dog caught in leg traps in the front yard of the property.
Police said the dog was injured and in need of medical attention.
Files allegedly told police that he had set the traps intentionally to catch the neighbor’s dog that had been repeatedly wandering onto his property, according to authorities.
Lindsay Hartt, the owner of the dog, said she heard the news that her dog, Zoey, was caught in a trap by her husband while she was at work.
“She was covered in blood,” Hartt said. “Because of how much blood … they thought that she may have even had broken some legs.”
The dog lost 17 teeth, including some that were pulled, trying to chew her way out of the traps. Zoey also sustained severe injury to her mouth, according to the treating veterinarian.
Hartt said Zoey was missing part of her gums and her jaw bone was showing.
The owner of the dog was cited for dog-at-large, El Mirage police said.
(West Valley - Jan 10, 2013)
