Calexico resident arrested for animal cruelty

A Calexico man is behind bars after authorities said he struck his dog with a golf club.

Late last week, authorities received a call about a man abusing a dog near Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

Oscar Ruiz, of the Calexico Police Department, said the dog needed medical attention after his owner, 49-year-old David Aceves Jr., allegedly lost his temper and hit the dog multiple times.

” So when officers arrived on the scene, they contacted Mr. Aceves who turned out to be the actual suspect in the incident. And at the time, he admitted to actually striking the canine with the golf club which he [had] next to him on the street, ” said Ruiz.

Cherokee Turner, a member of the Animal Justice Advocate, is relieved that the dog is not in worse shape and only required fives stitches for its injuries.

Turner said, ” I’m thankful that it was able to be saved by the vet and it is actually in safe hands. And that’s a good thing. Luckily he didn’t beat the dog to death. ”

Turner said the local animal rights group plans on appearing at Aceves Jr.’s hearing to be a voice for the dog.

Aceves Jr. is facing serious charges.

” Basically it was animal cruelty. That was the primary charge. Other than that, he was found to be in possession of control substances in jail and he also had a no-bail warrant for a prior case that he has pending with the county, ” said Ruiz. ”

Aceves Jr. was booked into Imperial County Jail with a bail of $25,000.