A Las Cruces man was arrested June 3 for allegedly battering his girlfriend and mistreating two pets, one of which later tested positive for meth.According to officials, 39-year-old Aaron Spaulding allegedly battered his girlfriend the day before and held the woman against her will. Police learned that a verbal argument turned physical and Spaulding allegedly punched her multiple times.While Las Cruces police were investigating, they learned that Spaulding was possibly neglecting his two pets, a dog and a cat, and abusing the feline by squeezing it until it cried. Spaulding was also accused of forcibly feeding the cat meth.The cat’s blood was tested for drugs and it tested positive for meth.Spaulding was charged in June with false imprisonment, two counts of battery against a household member, interference with communication and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. After the cat tested positive for meth, the animal cruelty charge has been upgraded to a felony.Spaulding was arrested June 4 and released on bond June 24.The cat was treated and adopted into a caring home.

A Las Cruces man was arrested June 3 for allegedly battering his girlfriend and mistreating two pets, one of which later tested positive for meth.

According to officials, 39-year-old Aaron Spaulding allegedly battered his girlfriend the day before and held the woman against her will. Police learned that a verbal argument turned physical and Spaulding allegedly punched her multiple times.


While Las Cruces police were investigating, they learned that Spaulding was possibly neglecting his two pets, a dog and a cat, and abusing the feline by squeezing it until it cried.

Spaulding was also accused of forcibly feeding the cat meth.

The cat’s blood was tested for drugs and it tested positive for meth.

Spaulding was charged in June with false imprisonment, two counts of battery against a household member, interference with communication and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. After the cat tested positive for meth, the animal cruelty charge has been upgraded to a felony.

Spaulding was arrested June 4 and released on bond June 24.

The cat was treated and adopted into a caring home.