A Fort Bliss soldier was arrested Tuesday for allegedly beating a pit bull in an attack caught on camera by a neighbor. Meanwhile a custody battle for the dog has emerged between a shelter and a woman who apparently lives with the soldier and claims the dog is actually hers.
El Paso local news station KFOX showed part of the video, which the police declined to make available to media, citing the investigation. In Texas, torturing a non-livestock animal is a state felony punishable by six months to two years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
The pit bull, Bella, was taken into the custody by El Paso Animal Services. The Humane Society of El Paso, a non-profit, wants to gain custody of the dog and facilitate its rehabilitation. But that's on hold; a woman who lives in the same house as Glenn claimed ownership of the dog. Glenn, 26, apparently signed over custody of the dog to the city when he was arrested. According to the woman, he didn't have that right. Texas law deems pets as property.
"It's not really going to be a typical case. The judge will have to identify who the owner is," Ramon Herrera, spokesman for Animal Services, told Army Times.
"Based on the city's behavioral assessment of Bella, it's not the first time she's been hit," Flores said. "Any animal abuse or neglect is absolutely unacceptable. We're really proud that the community and the neighbors stepped up and got proof of what happened, and quick action was taken."
The Army is investigating the incident and could level its own discipline against Glenn. According to Fort Bliss spokesman Lt. Col. Craig Childs,
that could range from administrative action to criminal charges. The Army would consider any civilian court punishments in determining consequencesconsequenses.
"As in all cases of alleged Soldier misconduct, the command will determine the facts and take appropriate action based upon those facts," Childs said in a statement to Army Times. "Mistreatment of animals is inconsistent with the values and ethics we require from our Soldiers."
According to KFOX, the neighbor whose wife recorded the video said he confronted the suspect – then unnamed. He asked why he was beating the dog. Glenn reportedly answered, "Oh, she tried to jump over the fence." When the neighbor reportedly told him that’s not how you discipline a dog, Glenn he allegedly said "but that’s the only way she will learn. It is what it is." He repeated that when the neighbor mentioned going to police, the report said.
According to Flores, that exchange depicts a mentality and myth that is all-too-common.
"Some people think harsh discipline is how an animal is going to learn. They think they have a pack mentality, and they're the alpha. But these are domesticated animals," Flores said. "They should be treated as family members …You need to use positive reinforcement, you need to use a reward process to train them."
According to El Paso County jail records, Glenn was released on bond the day he was booked.
