Man arrested after allegedly entering apartment unlawfully and shooting the resident’s dog

PHOENIX — A man is facing multiple charges after allegedly breaking into an apartment and shooting the resident’s dog, Phoenix police said. The dog was rushed to a veterinarian, but its condition was not immediately known.

Officers responded Tuesday to a call in which a man reported that someone had shot his dog and remained inside his apartment near 19th and Northern avenues, according to arrest documents.

The victim told police he returned home to find blood on the floor and the suspect, identified as David Contreras, lying next to his injured dog, according to arrest documents. The victim said he knew Contreras but had not given him permission to enter. He believed Contreras used a hidden spare key to get in.

Contreras told police he had permission to be in the apartment, the documents state. He said he spotted two dark figures through a sliding glass door on the patio, got into a verbal altercation with them and fired shots in their direction, according to the documents.

Police said there was no evidence anyone had been on the back patio. Contreras also allegedly admitted to using amphetamines earlier in the day, documents state.

Officers found three shell casings and a handgun inside the apartment. The victim’s dog suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.

Contreras faces charges of burglary, discharge of a firearm within city limits and animal cruelty, according to arrest documents.

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