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Protests were held in Merced on Saturday against animal cruelty, after a dog was brutally beaten with a machete and left for dead on Friday.
Merced Police have the two men in custody who they believe attacked Merced resident Ralph Guerrero’s husky. Aaron Carney, who is 29-years old, and 46-year old Myron Patillo, both also of Merced, face charges of robbery and cruelty to an animal.
Resident Faith Ford, who is an animal activist, was among the dozens of gatherers at the protest at the Walgreens at Olive Avenue and G Street. She said, "I just feel horrible for the dog that suffered. And the poor owner that had him ripped out of his hand. It’s tragic."
Ford said the protest was also a memorial for the other four-legged friends who have been abused in the city in the last few months.
"We are tired of animals being beaten and murdered and we want to make a stand and have these people be prosecuted," screamed Ford.
Guerrero said he had a friend watching Lucious on Friday morning. Police said the friend was walking the dog down the street when it got into a fight with another dog. That’s when the other dog’s owner, Patillo and Carney took things into their own hands, according to Police.
Sergeant Robert Solis said on Friday, "On Conestoga (drive), he was approached again by the same individuals, and they had machetes. He was afraid and kinda backed off. They basically robbed him of his dog."
Guerrero, who was also at the protest, remembered Lucious as a sweet husky that liked to play, and a dog he trusted around his one-year old child.
"From yesterday to today, you know, yesterday was just really aggravating and very upsetting, you know, so. I didn’t just lose my dog, I lost a family member," said Guerrero.
Guerrero stated that the community support is helping him grieve his loss.
He reflected, "Today to come out here and see all this. It’s reassurance that people out there, they care you know?"
Many of the protestors said they’ll be in court with Guerrero to watch how the case plays out.
Ford ended, "Knowing that these two horrible people are off the streets makes me feel safer for my dog and everyone else’s dogs that are out there."
A memorial surrounds the fire hydrant where Lucious was tied. It’s now covered in flowers and even a few dog treats.
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