Matthew J. Montes, 25, was arraigned today in the Courtroom of The Honorable Judge Macias on a charge of Extreme Animal Cruelty, a Fourth Degree Felony. Montes was accused of choking and scalding a kitten in October and pleaded not guilty.
The $50,000 secured bond remains in place and Montes was remanded to the custody of the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Any future proceedings are set to be heard in front of the Honorable Judge Kugler.
Over thirty animal activists from Action Programs for Animals and Dona Ana Pets Alive showed up in the courtroom today to silently protest cruelty to animals.
"Our Office will continue to fight tirelessly and be a voice for those that can't speak for themselves. Animals are certainly no exception" says Mark D'Antonio, Third Judicial District Attorney.