SO: Abused dogs found beaten, locked up

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - It started as a domestic disturbance call, when a woman claimed her husband was threatening her. When deputies arrived, they found more victims inside the home.
   
Detectives said 13 dogs were badly abused and neglected. Sunday, their owner faced a judge.

Eleven pit bulls, one Chihuahua, and a Doberman may have cried out for help before, but detectives said they'd been trapped inside cages.
     
Friday night, Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputies learned how the dogs had been living. Antonio Bornot, 48, had his first appearance in court Sunday. He faces multiple charges of torture and injury to animals.
     
According to a criminal complaint, Bornot's wife called 911 and said her husband had threatened to kill her, and that she feared a physical attack. When deputies responded, they found 13 dogs on the property in southeast Albuquerque.
     
The complaint states four dogs were locked inside a bedroom with lacerations to their chest, shoulders and legs, and no food or water in sight.

Deputies said four more were locked in cages, and one had an untreated broken leg. The dogs had cuts on their faces, bloody lips, and were reportedly covered in feces.
     
The dogs had injuries law enforcement officers said are consistent with dog fighting, and torture towards animals. Sunday, Bornot faced a judge.  

"Mr. Bornot, I am going to oppose a bond of $40,000 cash or surety," the Judge stated. "While this matter is pending, you'll not possess any firearms or dangerous weapons, you'll not return to the location of the alleged incident."

Bornot was not happy with the court's conditions.

"How can I not return to the place where that happened," Bornot asked in court.

The judge responded, "because I'm ordering you not to return, that's why."

As for Bornot's dogs, they won't return home for now. Animal care officials are not sure if they will be able to adopt them out in the future, adding the abuse they've endured has made them unfriendly.   

Deputies said they also found multiple metal objects in the home, and vet supplies including antibiotics and iodine for cuts. Animal care officials said the dogs do not appear to have life-threatening injuries.