Albuquerque, NM: Tim Chavez, an employee for the Albuquerque Family Services has surrendered three severely emaciated pit bulls and is being charged with Animal Cruelty and Torture. He has subsequently been fired from his job. 

It appears this is not Tim Chavez’s first brush with the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Dept.  KRQE news has uncovered several incidents dating back to 2002 having 11 reports of problems with dogs. In 2002, Chavez surrendered two pit bulls. Four more dogs were surrendered 2003. Of these dogs, four had to be humanely euthanized because they were too aggressive. In 2008, Chavez adopted Roxy from the shelter.  She was found to be underfed.  Albuquerque Animal Welfare had charged him twice and Chavez went to court. The judge dismissed the charges after Chavez produced a receipt from a vet. 

Albuquerque Animal Welfare was un-able to track all the incidences of Chavez surrendering dogs, or the number of times they had been called to his residence because there was not tracking system. The system has since been upgraded.

Chavez also had a dog named “Shane” that he said was left tied up to his gate by a stranger. Shane was so aggressive he had to be put down.

The dogs that have been surrendered “show signs of being groomed to fight, their ears are cropped”. However, there is not enough evidence to charge Chavez with more at this time.

For more information:  http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/city-worker-had-past-pet-problems​

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/cruelty-suspect-fired-charges-coming

This petition will be updated as more information becomes available but the intent will remain the same.

Video courtesy of Albuquerque KRQE