El Paso driver arrested after puppy falls from moving pickup

A 64-year-old driver, Victor Martinez, was arrested for non-livestock animal cruelty after a German Shepherd puppy fell from the bed of a moving Chevrolet Silverado in El Paso.

The incident occurred on October 3, 2026, when deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office observed the puppy being transported unsecured. The animal fell from the vehicle, striking the pavement and a concrete sidewalk, resulting in visible injuries.

Following an investigation, Martinez was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Center with a $6,000 bond. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte emphasized that authorities will act when animals are placed at risk, noting that owners have a responsibility to ensure pet safety during transport.