Police have obtained an arrest warrant for John Steven Santiago, 28, of Albuquerque, on aggravated burglary, extreme cruelty to animals, tampering, aggravated battery on a household member and domestic violence charges stemming from a July 13 incident that led to the dog being euthanized.
According to police reports, Santiago had been stalking his girlfriend for weeks before the incident – showing up randomly, including an incident at church when he appeared out of nowhere and got angry when she refused to give him a ride.
But on July 13, the woman came home from dropping her daughter off at a dance class to find Santiago holding her Pomeranian in his arms. The dog was limp, bloody and in "severe distress," according to police.
She eventually coaxed him into giving her the dog, after which he ran back into her home, which he allegedly broke into, grabbed a backpack and ran off.
When the woman went into her home, she found blood in various parts of the house and dog-shaped dents in the wall and a mirror.
She took the dog to an Albuquerque veterinarian, who told her that the dog had been burned all over his body and eyes, had brain swelling, a facial fracture and missing teeth. The dog had to be euthanized because of its injuries.
Police interviewed a neighbor who had seen Santiago in the woman's backyard earlier that day, who told officers Santiago had been hosing off the limp dog and trying to make the situation appear normal by asking it if it wanted to go for a walk.
But the neighbor said the dog was not moving except when Santiago moved it himself.
APD says it has had trouble locating Santiago and is now asking for the public's help in locating him. Spokesman Tanner Tixier says the ex-girlfriend is "terrified" that he is still on the loose.
Alliance Against Animal Abuse has set up an $1,000 award for the arrest and conviction of John Santiago.
If you have knowledge of Santiago's whereabouts, call 242-COPS or the APD Northwest Impact Team at 505-768-4850.
Animal abusers will abuse human beings.
REST IN PEACE, LITTLE TEDDY
(KOB - July 31, 2016)
Updates to story:
- New Mexico: Alliance Against Animal Abuse helps Crime Stoppers arrest animal torturer and killer John Santiago
- New Mexico: John Santiago, who beat, tortured and burned a Pomeranian named Teddy to death, has been arrested again
- New Mexico: Why does career criminal and animal torturer John Santiago keep getting chance after chance?
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