Stepfather Who 'Violently' Killed Family Dog Sentenced To 5 Years

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville man who "violently" killed his family dog, Rocco, nearly a year after being pulled over with a blood alcohol concentration of .131 has been sentenced to five years in prison, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Nathan Gonzalez, 36, pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI and animal cruelty in connection with the December 2023 and September 2024 incidents. His sentence comprises a five-year sentence for the aggravated DUI charge and a three-year sentence for the animal cruelty charge, which will be served concurrently.

Police pulled Gonzalez over on December 17, 2023, after he was seen speeding. The officers who stopped Gonzalez reported smelling alcohol and noticing he had "glassy and bloodshot eyes," a news release said. Gonzalez was arrested after police learned his license had been suspended in Indiana and his BAC was over the legal limit.

Gonzalez was charged with aggravated DUI and released following his arrest.

In September 2024, police received a call from a girl, 14 who said Gonzalez, her stepfather, had killed the family's pet shih tzu, Rocco, and threatened her and her stepsister, 11. When police got to the residence, the children were home, but they could not find Gonzalez or Rocco.

According to police, Gonzalez and his partner had gotten into an argument while out and left separately, with Gonzalez telling his partner he planned to kill Rocco. When Gonzalez's partner got home, he and Rocco were not there, she told officers.

Police later found Gonzalez hiding nearby behind a dumpster. Rocco was found the following day by Naperville Animal Control at a nearby construction site, and it was determined the dog's death was the result of blunt force trauma to his head.

"Following an argument with his partner, Nathan Gonzalez violently killed the family dog, Rocco,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “Mr. Gonzalez’s unconscionable actions, that took the life of a beloved, defenseless family pet, are extremely disturbing. Our pets are family members and deserve our love and comfort, not a violent, painful death as Rocco was forced to endure. Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez’s aggravated DUI conviction further illustrates his disregard for the rule of law and concern for other."