A New Mexico man was arrested after he reportedly told police he got mad at his mom and started throwing her dogs during a “mental breakdown.”
Rudy Esteban Baca told officers with the Las Cruces Police Department that he had a “mental breakdown” after he saw a mess in the house, which he blamed on his “mother’s hoarding,” according to police documents viewed by KFOX 14. Baca, 25, then told authorities that he “snapped” and took his anger towards his mother out on her dogs, Skunky and Whippy.
Police watched home surveillance video of the incident, which allegedly showed Baca throwing Skunky at the TV in the living room. He then allegedly threw Whippy against a table. Both dogs were seen yelping and running away during the incident.
Baca reportedly told officers he felt bad and didn’t intend to hurt the dogs. He added that he called his mother to inform her about the situation after she went to the store, telling her that she “might be mad” at him.
When Baca’s mother came home, he reportedly claimed she got a “45 gun” and opened fire at him. He told police that he felt “the bullet whiz by,” so he barricaded himself with a knife.
However, the mother’s account of the incident differed when she spoke with the officers. She told them that she was upset and yelled at Baca before she slammed “a tape roll,” which she said made “a loud bang.”
The mother went on to say that she first became concerned when she returned home from the store and found Gizmo, another one of her dogs, outside. Once she entered the house, she noticed dog feces on the floor.
Officers also described arriving at the home in the report, noting that they found Baca and his mother barricaded inside.
While they were at the home, officers looked at the two dogs that were involved in the incident. They said that there were no external injuries, though told Baca’s mother to take them to the veterinarian to determine whether or not the dogs sustained internal injuries.
Baca was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center and has been charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. He is currently being held without bond.
It is not currently clear if Baca has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
