HOBBS — On the morning of Thursday, July 30, a four-year-old American pit bull named Napolean escaped from his yard, and by noon was found by a neighbor one block away on the 600 block of Midwest Street with multiple BB shot wounds all over his body and to both eyes. A veterinarian found the damage to both eyes extensive, and Napolean’s guardian, Peter Aguilar, chose euthanasia for the dog his family had raised from a weeks-old puppy.

Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM), an Albuquerque-based advocacy organization, is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved in this felony crime.

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“All of us are really upset by this,” Aguilar told APNM Communications Manager Monica García, of his wife and three children’s reaction to the brutal killing of their only dog. “He was always hyper and happy. He was the type of dog the kids always played with and even dressed up.”

Aguilar believes more than one person must have been involved in the shooting. He thinks the strong, 62-pound dog was held down to be shot multiple times at close range.

Information related to this crime should be called in to the Attorney General’s Animal Cruelty Task Force toll-free hotline: 1-877-5-HUMANE (877-548-6263). Callers may remain anonymous, if preferred.

The Dog Days of Summer Animal Education

What has audiences of 5-to-12 year olds sitting attentively in community centers, elementary and mid-schools throughout Bernalillo County this summer? The Bernalillo County Department of Animal Protection and Control’s Summer Animal Care Program!

Giving a child an opportunity to learn about dogs and cats will pay off in more rewarding human/animal relationships for all the lifetimes involved!

Working with Bernalillo County animal control officers, APNM’s Cruelty Case Administrator Sherry Mangold assists with devising interactive presentations for children on safe behavior with unfamiliar dogs, as well as appropriate care and safe play with companion animals. The presentations begin with a brief video on these subjects and then the animal control officer raises questions and answers them, taking the children through many pragmatic scenarios. Various pieces of equipment used by the officer are demonstrated along with humane handling techniques. The purpose is to remove the stigma of “dog-catcher.” Children learn that the officers are truly concerned with the health and well-being of all the animals they encounter. Then, it’s time to practice the skills learned.

Therapy dogs of every breed, size and color infiltrate the audiences to work their magic with the children. After plenty of practice (and multiple tricks performed by the dogs), everyone seems to be just a little happier and hopefully a lot safer for the summer.

APNM applauds the work of all Bernalillo County Animal Control Officers, and thanks them for providing this thoughtful, entertaining approach to animal safety.

NOTE:When Sherry Mangold isn’t handling cruelty cases for Animal Protection of New Mexico, she can probably be found training therapy dog teams for the Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers. This group of volunteers operates throughout New Mexico visiting hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, public schools and libraries, juvenile detention centers, wherever a cold nose and wagging tail can bring relief and comfort.