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JANELLE LIRA facing charges after she was caught on camera forcefully throwing a bottle at a dog

Updated: Jan 23

- New Mexico, USA -


Update: January 23, 2025


Before publishing the story, I emailed the Rio Rancho Police Department to inquire about the dog’s condition.

A few hours ago, I received an email from Captain Reedy that read: “The owner of the animal, Janella Lira, has only been able to be reached by phone one time, and subsequently disconnected with officers. A Criminal Summons has been issued for her to appear in court for the charges. Animal Control has conducted follow up to check the condition of the dog, however, the details of the follow-up are not known to me at this time. Unfortunately, I do not know the age or breed of the dog etc.”


I then emailed Ms. Cheryll Johns, Manager of Animal Resource Center and asked her why the dog had not been removed. I also asked her whether the dog had been seen by a veterinarian and further asked how the dog is doing. Ms. Johns advised me to submit a request for public records without answering my questions.


I have also emailed the Sandoval County District Attorney’s Office regarding the dog and I was told that the case will not go to their office and “the police officer will remain the prosecutor because it was charged as a misdemeanor. Had the crime raised to a felony it would come to our office. So, unfortunately, I do not have any information for you regarding this case.”


Court records show that LIRA’s arraignment is set for February 13, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.


~ Original story:


Maybe JANELLE LIRA thought she was going to get away with animal abuse. Well, thanks to an amazing citizen, whom KOB identified as Cyndi, that’s not going to happen!


On the evening of January 4, 2025, surveillance cameras at Cyndi’s home in Rio Rancho captured a female driving a car and chasing a small white dog. At some point, the female pulls up at Cyndi’s curb, exits the vehicle, and as the dog quickly runs in her direction, she aggressively throws a bottle of water at the furvictim who inevitably collapses and rolls over.


The video goes on to show the female yelling something at the terrorized dog before grabbing him/her and putting him/her in the car.


Cyndi told KOB that the female drove off before she could question her.


Cyndy did not let the incident go and turned to neighbors on NextDoor in hopes of getting help identifying the female and locating her.


Cyndy explained to KOB: “Not to get everybody worked up, but just to find out where she lived, so that we can, one, check on the animal and, two, so I could have an address to file the charges.”


The following day, JANELLE LIRA was identified as the female seen in the video.


According to KOB, an officer with the Rio Rancho Police Department went to LIRA’s home and in her yard, he found a small white dog. The officer reported that the furvictim appeared to be wheezing in between barks.


LIRA faces one misdemeanor count of animal abuse.


I emailed the Sandoval County Detention Center to request her mugshot but I was told she was not in their system. I have also emailed the Rio Rancho Police Department because it’s not clear to me whether or not the furvictim was removed. At the time of writing, I have not received a response yet.


On a separate note, KOB reports that according to court documents, in 2024, LIRA was charged with battery for hitting her sister-in-law’s daughter in the face at an indoor jungle gym. The case was dismissed by prosecutors.


If you know who JANELLE LIRA is, please share her face. Thank you!


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.




SHEILA RENEE BACA, former groomer, accused of striking a dog she was grooming

Updated: Jul 28, 2024

- New Mexico, USA -

 

The Rio Rancho Police Department arrested 36-year-old SHEILA RENEE BACA (pictured), former groomer at Pet Paradise on Quantum Road in Rio Rancho.

 

According to a criminal complaint filed with the Sandoval County Magistrate Court, BACA called the authorities and claimed that her manager had elbowed her in the face.

 

Responding officers reviewed security footage and there was no evidence of the manager’s assault.

 

When they spoke with the manager, they learned that BACA had been terminated for animal cruelty. The manager showed police video footage in which BACA could be seen repeatedly hitting a Husky she was grooming. Moreover, the dog was not properly secured to the grooming table, causing him/her to keep falling off. The manager said that as soon as a member of staff reported the incident to her, BACA was fired.

 

The manager further told officers that when she searched BACA’s bags, she found items that BACA had taken totaling to about $500.

 

BACA, of Los Lunas, was arrested on July 22, 2024, for animal cruelty and larceny.

At the time of writing, records show she is no longer in custody.

 

Pet Paradise‘s Vice President Of Marketing and Communications Kristen Petrillo Majdanics tells me that the furvictim “was a two-year-old female. During the incident, she did not sustain any injuries that required veterinary care. Our team checked in with her pet parent multiple times and learned the dog is at home eating, drinking, and playing as normal.”

 

KRQE reports that court records show BACA has been charged twice before for failing to care for her dogs, in 2019, in Bernalillo County and in 2022, in Valencia County. Those cases were dropped pending further investigation.

  

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from KRQE. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

  

 

BACA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office




DOUGLAS REAMES, dog breeder, arrested - More than sixty dogs removed from a Tijeras home

Updated: Nov 7, 2023

- New Mexico, USA -


On November 1, 2023, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and Bernalillo County Animal Care Services executed a search warrant at a property in the East Mountains resulting in fifty-four (54) dogs being removed, “with the expectation of approximately ten more to follow”, reports Tiffany Chamblee, Bernalillo County Animal Care Services manager.


The owner of the now condemned property, 70-years-old DOUGLAS REAMES (pictured), has been arrested and charged with felony extreme cruelty to animals.


The sheriff’s office said in a media release this is the result of a series of investigations into suspected animal cruelty. In the fall of 2022, the sheriff’s office and Bernalillo County Animal Care Services began collaborative efforts with REAMES to manage the number of dogs at his property. According to the sheriff’s office, at first, there was cooperation but over time the number of dogs fluctuated dramatically to the extent that by July 2023, the situation escalated into a community concern.


REAMES’ non-compliance resulted in breaches of the Bernalillo County Animal Care Ordinance leading to the execution of the warrant.


Investigators found multiple dogs kennels outside with no food, water, or insulation. The kennels were filled with trash and feces. Inside the property, the situation was just as bad. Investigators found human and animal feces among clutter and trash.


Sadly, officials also discovered animal bones and decomposing dog remains.


Detective Kevin Carhart, with the Bernalillo County Animal Cruelty Task Force, in an interview with KOB 4 said: “It seems apparent that it was an illegal dog breeding operation and it seemed to be a source of income for the suspect.”


Ms. Chamblee said that some of the dogs are “as young as two days and most are feral (unsocialized), ill, and/or have tested positive for parvovirus and coccidia.” She explained that “the socialized and healthy-appearing dogs are being quarantined due to their exposure to the parvovirus. Following a [ten-day] quarantine period, dogs cleared by the Animal Care Services medical team will eventually be made available for adoption.”


Here’s another devastating aspect of the case. As a result of this seizure, Animal Care Services is now over-capacity and has built special outdoor kennels to house a lot of the rescued Voiceless Victims.

Your help is needed. If you can help provide foster homes for the healthy furvictims, please, click here to sign up to become an animal foster companion. THANK YOU!


REAMES made a court appearance on November 2, 2023, and judge Linda S. Rogers released him on the condition he cannot have any animals.

Court records show REAMES is expected back in court on November 29, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. before judge Claire A. McDaniel.

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



REAMES’ mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.







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