Mayor Eric Enriquez City of Las Cruces | City of Las Cruces
Mayor Eric Enriquez City of Las Cruces | City of Las Cruces
A man has been arrested in Las Cruces on charges of extreme animal cruelty after being caught on camera throwing rocks at two dogs. Luis J. Cobos, 36, was taken into custody on Wednesday evening and faces two felony counts related to the incident. He is currently held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with a $2,500 surety bond.
The incident came to light around 10:15 a.m. on February 19, 2025, when Animal Control responded to reports of suspected animal abuse at a residence on Mission Nueva Drive. Contractors working nearby witnessed and recorded video footage of Cobos allegedly throwing rocks at one or more dogs in the backyard.
This video was shared on social media, gaining significant attention. Following this, Las Cruces police obtained a warrant to search the property and secure the animals. During their investigation, they discovered four dogs and transported two basset hounds for evaluation at a veterinary clinic. One of these dogs showed visible signs of physical abuse and received treatment.
The four dogs are temporarily housed at the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley until they can be reunited with their owner, who lived with Cobos but was not involved in the mistreatment.
Police have urged those concerned about pet welfare not to confront residents of the home since only Cobos was implicated in this case. "By all accounts, the owner of the dogs has taken great care of the pets and is distressed by the actions of Cobos," stated authorities.
The Las Cruces Police Department expressed gratitude towards the contractors who reported and documented this incident. They encourage anyone witnessing or suspecting animal abuse to contact Central Dispatch or call 911 if it's an emergency.
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