‘I see you!’: Vigilant bystander stops man from dumping puppies on rural road

McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) — A good Samaritan in Texas is credited with stopping a man from dumping puppies on a rural road.

McLennan County deputies arrested a 64-year-old man accused of trying to abandon three puppies Sunday evening, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KWTX.

The court document states deputies were called to an area shortly after 5 p.m. July 19 after a woman reported seeing a white Chevrolet Silverado stop in front of her home.

The witness told investigators a man, later identified as Jose Aviles Ruiz, 64, got out of the truck with three small white dogs, led them toward a ditch, then went back to the driver’s seat.

The witness reported seeing the dogs running back to the truck and Ruiz making a kicking motion, flailing his arms and yelling while trying to shoo them away.

According to the warrant, the witness ran outside and yelled, “I see you!” and watched Ruiz start to back up before shifting back into park.

The affidavit states Ruiz rolled down a window as the witness told him she believed he was dumping the puppies and that she was calling the police.

A female passenger then exited Ruiz’s pickup, called the dogs and put them back into the cab before the truck drove away, the affidavit said.

The witness followed the truck and provided investigators with the license plate number.

Deputies used the registration to locate Ruiz at a home in Eddy, where he confirmed the dogs were back with him, according to the affidavit.

Ruiz was booked on a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals — fail to provide/abandon, a Class A misdemeanor, the affidavit states.

Ruiz was booked into the McLennan County Jail, but he was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

McLennan County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jake Burson told KWTX that the puppies were left in the care of Ruiz’s relatives.