‘I see you!’: Vigilant Central Texas woman stops man from dumping puppies on rural road—
McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) – McLennan County deputies arrested a 64-year-old man accused of trying to abandon three puppies Sunday evening, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KWTX.
The court document states deputies were called to the 900 block of Remington Circle shortly after 5 p.m. July 19 after a woman reported seeing a white Chevrolet Silverado stop in front of her home.
The witness told investigators a man later identified as Jose Aviles Ruiz, 64, got out of the truck with three small white dogs, led them toward a ditch, then went back to the driver’s seat.
Jose Aviles Ruiz, of Eddy, Texas, is charged with animal cruelty after allegedly trying to dump puppies in rural McLennan County.(KWTX GRAPHIC. DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION)
The witness reported the dogs ran back to the truck, and Ruiz made a kicking motion, flailed his arms and yelled while trying to shoo them away.
According to the warrant, the witness ran outside and yelled, “I see you!” and watched Ruiz start to back up before shifting back into park.
The affidavit states Ruiz rolled down a window as the witness told him she believed he was dumping the puppies and that she was calling police.
A female passenger then exited Ruiz’s pickup, called the dogs and put them back into the cab before the truck drove away, the affidavit says.
The woman later followed the truck and provided investigators with the license plate number.
Deputies used the registration to locate Ruiz at a home in Eddy, where he confirmed the dogs were back with him, according to the affidavit.
Ruiz was booked on a charge of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals — Fail to Provide/Abandon under Texas Penal Code 42.092, a Class A misdemeanor, the affidavit states.
The area where Ruiz allegedly attempted to dump the puppies is in between Moody and Bruceville-Eddy.
Ruiz was booked into the McLennan County Jail but was released after posting a $2,000 bond.
McLennan County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jake Burson told KWTX the puppies were left in the care of Ruiz’s relatives.
