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Case #10135 Rating: 2.3 out of 5
Dog slammed into wall during domestic dispute
Albuquerque, NM (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 16, 2006
County: Bernalillo
Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Zachary Rankin
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
A 5-month-old Chihuahua is recovering from head injuries after being slammed into a wall during a domestic dispute, according to Albuquerque police.
A violent man who was mad at his ex-girlfriend is behind the attack, they said.
The case has also raised issues which grabbed the attention Mayor Martin Chávez. The mayor called an afternoon news conference to say the city has a horrible problem with domestic violence and he wants it to stop.
According to a police report, Zachary Rankin, 28, broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend on Nov 16. There he allegedly became angry and started yelling at her because she had another man at her house.
Police said that's when Rankin grabbed her Chihuahua and threw the dog against the wall.
He then took the dog and fled, according to police. Rankin took the dog to an animal clinic and later returned to the ex-girlfriends' house where police were waiting to arrest him.
The woman told KRQE News 13 the Chihuahua has head and internal injuries, but she's expected to recover.
Chávez says Albuquerque police officers responds to about 11,500 domestic-violence calls each year. This case caught his attention, he said, because of the link between animal cruelty and human violence.
Here's why he says this case caught his attention.
"This individual was a repeat offender," Chávez said. "This was two incidents in one night, and it did involve a little puppy.
"Once again it calls attention to the nexus between violence against animals, animal cruelty, and violence against human beings."
To help stop domestic violence, the mayor says the Family Advocacy Center will open in July.
It will house all agencies that deal with domestic violence including police, prosecutors and victim advocates.
Rankin is being held on a $75,000 bond on charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and extreme cruelty to animals.
Case UpdatesZachary Rankin pleaded guilty to felony charges of breaking and entering, battery, and cruelty to animals on May 23, 2007. As part of a plea agreement, burglary, larceny, and criminal damage charges were dismissed.
According to a police report, Zachary Rankin, 28, broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend on November 16, 2006. There he allegedly became angry and started yelling at her because she had another man at her house.
Police said that's when Rankin grabbed her Chihuahua and threw the dog against the wall.
He then took the dog and fled, according to police. Rankin took the dog to an animal clinic and later returned to the ex-girlfriends' house where police were waiting to arrest him.
Rankin was sentenced to 18 months probation. The specific conditions of his probation are not currently known. | Source: Case # D-202-CR-200605213
Update posted on Jun 12, 2007 - 12:25PM |
Zachary Rankin is scheduled to return to court next month to face animal cruelty charges.
According to a police report, Zachary Rankin, 28, broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend on November 16, 2006. There he allegedly became angry and started yelling at her because she had another man at her house.
Police said that's when Rankin grabbed her Chihuahua and threw the dog against the wall.
He then took the dog and fled, according to police. Rankin took the dog to an animal clinic and later returned to the ex-girlfriends' house where police were waiting to arrest him.
Rankin will appear for a plea hearing on May 23 at 8:30 a.m. Trial has been set for June 11 at 8:30 a.m. | Source: Albuquerque District Court Case # D-202-CR-200605213
Update posted on Apr 12, 2007 - 2:47PM |
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