Police in Kerrville stated they believe anger led the Texas 19-year old Nicole Lee England Ruetz to stab her dog 31 times.
Ruetz is charged with animal cruelty after she stabbed her own dog 31 times on August 8. The dead dog was discovered on the back porch of her home by her ex-husband, who contacted authorities. A witness connected Ruetz with the offense. Police allege that Ruetz became aggravated and attacked the small dog as a dare from a friend. She first tried to run over the dog, then tried to strangle it until she stabbed it to death with two knives.
Police reported finding two bloody knives, which were collected as evidence, at the scene. Delesdernier said a witness has connected England with the offense. He said he believed the offense was stemmed by anger.
England�s warrant was served on her at the jail, where she has been since her arrest in the early hours of Aug. 9. Police were looking for England as they investigated the dog�s death. She was located by a Kerr County Sheriff�s deputy about 4 a.m. and arrested for driving while her license was suspended and for attempting to evade arrest.
Detective J.D. Delesdernier of Kerrville Police Department states that the case has been referred to the 216th Judicial District Attorney for prosecution. According to a spokeswoman at the D.A.�s office, if tried as a felony, animal cruelty is punishable by up to two years in state jail, five years probation and a fine up to $10,000.
Kerrville police are still investigating the case and more arrests could come, including the person police say dared Ruetz to kill the animal. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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