Robert Arturo Ruiz Jr., 30, was allegedly caught on video abandoning a dog at a cellphone tower located at Flossie Way and Pourroy Road in Riverside County on December 15, 2022. The disturbing incident occurred in the Winchester area where the man was spotted picking up the dog and “hurling it over a tall fence topped with razor wire.”
According to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, maintenance workers alerted the department after finding and caring for the dog shortly after he had been abandoned. The eight-year-old dog, named Ken (formerly KO) was microchipped which led authorities back to Ruiz.
According to NbcNews, Ruiz was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and willful abandonment. He is being held in jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.
In a statement, the Department of Animal Services Director Director Erin Gettis stated the incident had been very shocking.
We were all extremely disturbed to see such a careless act committed against an innocent animal
Posted statement
Another dog, a one-year-old female pit bull mix was also found at the Ruiz residence and has since been seized by authorities. It is also possible that Ruiz may have abandoned another animal, and that is currently being investigated.
And in a happy update, KO, who is now known as Ken has been adopted.
Read previous article and check out the video here.
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