(Las Vegas, KXNT)- A 22-year old Las Vegas man has been arrested for killing his family’s dog, but details of a police report have called into question the suspect’s competency.
A Metro police report says Jeremy Espiritu slashed the neck of his stepfather’s dog last week. When asked by his mother why he did it, Espiritu answered, ” because I wanted to.” He told police the same thing.
When asked by police if the black lab, named Serenity, attacked him, he simply answered, ” Nope, I just wanted to stab the dog so I sat on the floor and cut its neck.” He told the Metro officers he “likes to hurt dogs.”
Espiritu’s stepfather found Serenity collapsed in the hallway last Thursday. Animal Control did not respond so Metro Officer Jacoby Burns took matters into his own hands, taking Serenity to a veterinary hospital. Though attempts were made, the dog did not survive.
A judge has ruled that Jeremy Espiritu needs to undergo a psychological evaluation before he can stand trial. The family states they are worried he suffers from a mental disorder. They also told police they believe he is abusing methamphetamine.
District Attorney Steven Wolfson, who has said he has a zero tolerance for animal cruelty, says his office first needs to figure out if Espiritu is competent. He faces a class D felony and if found guilty, could be sentenced up to 4 years in prison.
His competency hearing is set for January 3rd.
