Man Accused of Shooting a Dog Twice and Killing it Pleads 'Not Guilty'

SAN ANGELO, TX -- A convicted felon with an illegal handgun who allegedly shot and killed a dog and then shot its owner pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday morning. 

Efren Delatorre, 37, stood before District Judge Jay Weatherby as assistant District Attorney Richard Villarreal read the three count indictment which charges Delatorre with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of cruelty to a non-livestock animal by killing it, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. 

According to court documents, Delatorre is accused of driving to a residence near the area of E. 11th St. and Volney St. in San Angelo on January 31, 2018 where he got into an argument with Gerardo Puentes-Palma.  In an interview with police, the victim said Delatorre offered him a beer while the victim and his girlfriend were cutting wood in his back yard. 

Puentes-Palma said Delatorre was there for about 15 minutes with his truck running and someone drove off in Delatorre's truck.  Delatorre accused the victim of knowing who took the truck. 

During the altercation, Delatorre allegedly pulled out his handgun and shot the victim's dog twice, killing it.  

Puentes-Palma then confronted Delatorre and Delatorre shot him in the bicep. 

Delatorre was convicted of felony assault of a family member in Nov. 2010.  

The aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge was enhanced to a first degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison.  The cruelty to an animal charge is a third degree felony and the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon is also a third degree felony.  

Delatorre was arrested Jan. 31, 2018.  He was released on $50,000 bond on March 5, 2018.  

Delatorre pleaded not guilty and Judge Weatherby set his jury trial date for July 15, 2019 at 9 a.m.