LUBBOCK, TX — A Lubbock man was arrested on charges of animal cruelty after a witnesses reported seeing him physically abusing a dog at the intersection of 19th Street and Iola Avenue on November 30.
According to police reports, officers responded to a call about a civil disturbance at the intersection and encountered Leticia Chapa holding a medium-sized brown dog.
Chapa told authorities she saw Michael Aytes, 55, pulling the dog across 19th Street when the dog refused to walk. She reported seeing Aytes hold the dog down on the southeast corner of the intersection, get on top of it, and strike it multiple times with a closed fist.
The dog that was hit with a closed fist by Michael Aytes. She has reportedly been taken to LAS and is safe.
(Credit: facebook.com)
Chapa, who witnessed the incident from her car, said she got out and intervened, grabbing the dog away from Aytes. As she moved the dog to a nearby parking lot, Aytes followed her, but other bystanders stopped to assist. Additional witnesses, Jadell Scott, Jose Sierra-Abrigo, and Leticia Alcorta, provided statements that corroborated Chapa’s account and helped the poor dog.
Police observed the dog had an abrasion on its front right leg, and Aytes was seen with what appeared to be blood on his knuckles. He was taken into custody and transported to the Lubbock County Detention Center, where he was booked on charges of cruelty to a non-livestock animal causing serious bodily injury, injury, or death.
Reports state that the dog was taken to Lubbock Animal Service so they could treat her for the laceration she had on her leg from the abuse.
As of December 3, Aytes is still booked at the Lubbock County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $3,500. According to the Lubbock County Jail Roster, he also faces charges for theft of less than $2,500 with two or more prior theft convictions. Court documents did not specify how that crime happened, although reports allegedly state Aytes stole a bike from Acadamy Sports + Outdoors at 5802 19th Street.
The total bond for both charges is $6,000.
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