Teen charged for killing dog, injuring another

LEXINGTON, S.C. – A West Columbia teen has been arrested and charged after deputies found a dead dog and another severely injured dog inside the teen’s home late Wednesday.

Patrick Esparza, 17, is charged with two counts of ill treatment of animals in connection to the animals found inside his Dubbs Avenue residence, according to arrest warrants.

“Deputies were originally called to Esparza’s home for a welfare check and found the back door open,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Once inside, the deputies found a small dog that had died from apparent stab wounds and a larger dog suffering from multiple injuries.”

Esparza is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center after a judge set his bond at $10,000.

Ill treatment of animals is a felony charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.