MANAGUA ( Judge Under Investigation for Dog Killings in Nicaragua )

MANAGUA – A Managua judge is under investigation for a series of killings of dogs with arrows last month in an upscale area in the southern section of Nicaragua’s, judicial documents obtained by Efe show.

Silvio Aguilera, a 31-year-old civil court judge, another adult, identified as 24-year-old Cristian Estrada Roman, and a 14-year-old minor are being investigated by police in connection with the killings of at least six dogs with crossbows and arrows.

Police searched Aguilera’s residence and found three crossbows, arrows, a rifle, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, two swords and hunting accessories, the documents said.

The judge has denied any involvement in the dogs’ killings.

The case, which dog owners have labeled a “rich kids’ game,” is also being investigated by the National Police’s drug enforcement unit.

The suspects could face animal harm and animal abuse charges, the police report said.

The case has received wide coverage in Nicaragua because the dogs were all shot with expensive arrows, the attacks happened at night, the animals were inside their homes when they were killed and the incidents occurred in an area that wealthy families, politicians and high-level government officials call home.

Fundacion Amarte, an animal protection group, warned that many murderers start out abusing animals and helped organize a march to demand that authorities enforce the Animal Welfare and Protection Law, which punishes the unjustified killing of animals.