2 days ago
El Paso man arrested for allegedly shooting dog, donations sought for dog's medical care
An El Paso man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty allegedly fired a gel blaster gun at his pit bull mix dog while live streaming it on social media, authorities said.
Officers arrested Jesus Armando Ortega, 27, on a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animal by killing, poisoning or causing serious bodily injury, El Paso Police Department spokesperson Officer Adrian Cisneros said in a news release.
El Paso Animal Services officials reported a video posted on social media to police of a dog, named Spanky, being hit several times with a 'gel blaster' fired from an "Orbeez gun," the news release states. Orbeez guns are toy guns that shoot gel-like beads at high speeds.
The El Paso Police Department's Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit investigated the case and identified Ortega as the man in the video, the news release states.
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Ortega allegedly went live on social media about 10 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at a home in the 3000 block of George Dieter Drive, and started shooting his dog with the Orbeez gun.
The graphic video shows the small white dog hiding in a corner of a kitchen. The shooter is not seen in the video, but is heard saying, "Look these (expletive) hurt, look." He then began shooting at the dog.
Spanky survived its injuries. Law N' Paws Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization founded by an El Paso police detective, provides foster care for pets in animal abuse cases and has custody of the dog.
Spanky suffered "multiple injuries and (is) emotionally shaken," the nonprofit posted on Instagram. They added that Spanky is "underweight, scared, and currently receiving the care he desperately needs at East El Paso Animal Hospital."
Ortega was arrested on an animal cruelty charge. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on Friday, June 6 on a $4,000 bond, jail records show. He posted bail and was released the same day, jail logs show.
No attorney is listed in court records for Ortega.
The nonprofit is accepting donations from the community for Spanky's medical care. Donations can be made by:
PayPal:
Cash App: $LawNPaws
Venmo: Law-N-Paws
Apple Pay: 915-309-6244
Square:
Zeffy (100% goes to the rescue):
East El Paso Animal Hospital at 915-593-1712 under Law N Paws/Spanky
The nonprofit is also accepting foster-to-adopt applications for Spanky. Anyone who wants to apply to adopt Spanky can get information on the nonprofit's Instagram page at
"If you're interested in giving this little survivor the life he deserves, please message us your email address so we can send you an application," the nonprofit posted on it Instagram pages. "All applicants will be carefully screened."
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@ or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso man arrested for shooting dog with "gel blaster' gun
