Man Accused Of Dumping Dog At Riverside County Cell Tower Arrested

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A Southwest Riverside County man accused of dumping his dog at a cell tower in French Valley was arrested Thursday, authorities with Riverside County Animal Services announced.

Robert Ruiz Jr., 30, was arrested in connection with an incident Dec. 15 at a cell tower atop a hill near Flossie Way and Pourroy Road. A video surveillance camera captured footage of a man picking up a dog and tossing it over the 7-foot fence topped with razor wire. The dog’s back paws clip the razor wire as he somersaults to a hard landing on the dirt.

Ruiz was booked Thursday into the Riverside County jail in French Valley on an allegation of felony animal cruelty and a misdemeanor for the suspected abandonment.

"We were all extremely disturbed to see such a careless act committed against an innocent animal," Riverside County Animal Services Director Erin Gettis said. "This incident was very shocking."

The dog, an 8-year-old pit bull mix, was examined and treated by Animal Services veterinary staffers. Employees nicknamed the dog Ken; he was adopted Jan. 5 and is reportedly enjoying a new leash on life.

Riverside County Animal Services Officer Mike McGee responded to the cell tower Dec. 15 shortly after maintenance workers discovered the dog. Workers told McGee the dog was very thirsty. They provided the dog with three bottles of water prior to McGee’s arrival and released the video footage showing the man’s actions.

Animal Services released a video of the cell tower incident and asked for the public's help in locating Ruiz.

McGee made Thursday's arrest —shown in a video below — shortly before 1 p.m. at a residence where Ruiz was living in the 33000 block of Leon Road in Winchester.

A 1-year-old, female pit bull mix was at the residence and believed to be owned by Ruiz. Animal Services seized that dog and transported it to the county’s San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

Ruiz is suspected of abandoning a second dog that Animal Services officers are trying to locate.