Meadows Resident Arrested for Brutal Dog Killing

A 50-year-old man from Maricopa Meadows has been charged with animal cruelty following the death of a French Bulldog left outside in extreme heat. Jorge Delgadillo Sr. reportedly left the dog on a backyard patio while temperatures soared to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

The incident occurred on September 6, 2024, and was discovered by the dog’s owner, Jorge Delgadillo III, who found the lifeless pet after waking for work. According to a probable cause statement from the Maricopa Police Department, Delgadillo III reviewed security footage and noted his father’s actions just before the dog’s death.

Police indicated that Delgadillo Sr. was recorded spraying the dog with water around 3:30 PM before leaving the home to visit a bar. Despite having observed the dog in distress—lying mostly motionless and panting—he made no efforts to bring it indoors or provide adequate help.

In his interview with investigators, Delgadillo Sr. claimed that he believed the dog should be outdoors, calling it an “outside dog.” However, he admitted to noticing the dog’s troubling behavior and acknowledged that he had only sprayed it with water before leaving it on the patio.

The police report emphasizes that Delgadillo Sr. made no attempt to remove the dog from the extreme heat, leading to its tragic demise. Following the incident, he was arrested and taken to the Pinal County jail, where he now faces charges that could result in a six-month prison sentence.