Yorkie OK after man threw her at APD officer; suspect may face animal cruelty charges

Yahoo

09-05-2025

May 8—Don't fret, animal lovers, the Yorkie is fine.
The day after the Albuquerque Police Department detailed an incident in which a suspect threw the small dog at an officer while being questioned and fled, the department provided an update, including that the young female dog is "in good health and doing well."
"We received many questions from people who were understandably concerned about the dog in our last video...," APD spokeswoman Rebecca Atkins said in a news release Thursday.
Animal Welfare spokesperson Desiree Cawley said the Yorkie was brought in Tuesday, and the owner reclaimed her Wednesday.
It is unclear how the Yorkie got into the hands of the man who tossed the dog, Bobby Chavez, 41, of Albuquerque, and investigators are working with Animal Welfare on potentially bringing animal cruelty charges against him, Atkins said.
Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, an Albuquerque police officer saw Chavez trespassing at a DK gas station in the 3600 block of Candelaria NE, near Carlisle. Chavez, who was holding the dog, was told he was going to be detained and appeared to be searching through his wallet when he threw the animal at the officer and ran, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court and lapel camera video provided by APD.
Chavez ran some distance before entering a woman's apartment, where he holed up and wouldn't let her leave, police said. The woman was able to leave through a back door, and Chavez surrendered to APD's K-9 Unit.
Chavez was charged with false imprisonment, battery and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.