Police: Man gets angry and kills puppy

Brownsville police arrested a teenager accused of brutally kicking and stabbing a puppy resulting in the animal’s death, officials said.

Mario Gasca, 18, and Jesus Javier Martinez, 17, were arrested Wednesday afternoon in the Southmost area and later charged with animal cruelty, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.

On Thursday morning, a municipal judge set a $25,000 bond for Gasca and a $5,000 bond for Martinez.

Police officer arrived at the 2700 block of La Plaza Drive and met with a female who said Gasca had killed her puppy, Manrrique said.

The woman told police that two female neighbors ages 12 and 17, had seen Gasca kill the animal, police said.

"The witnesses said that Gasca had become angered when some neighbors accused him of burglarizing their home," Manrrique said. "Gasca became so angry that when he saw the black puppy walk nearby, he got a running start and kicked it."

According to police the dog flew about 15 yards and began yelping while it crouched in pain. Seconds later, Gasca got another running start and kicked the dog again.

"Gasca then got a pair of garden shears and stabbed the puppy in the midsection and then began stabbing the puppy’s mouth," Manrrique said.

During the attack, Martinez laughed and encouraged Gasca to kill the animal, police said.

After the attack, Gasca carried the puppy behind the house and dumped the carcass in a ditch, the spokesman said.

Gasca remains in custody at Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center while Martinez is out on bound.