Death threats after dog death incident

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - A controversial traffic stop in August involving a dying dog has resulted in death threats against a San Marcos police officer. That is according to San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz, who held a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The incident occurred on Aug. 5 along I-35 while Michael Gonzales and his girlfriend were rushing their teacup poodle to a 24-hour veterinarian in New Braunfels. The dog had choked on food at their home and appeared to have stopped breathing.  

Officer Paul Stephens stopped Gonzales for driving 95 mph.  During the stop, Stephens said, "It's just a dog, you can get another one," to an agitated Gonzales.

Mayor Narvaiz said Thursday that despite the insensitivity of the officer's remarks, she feels the corrective actions taken were appropriate. She said Stephens, who is a veteran of the Iraq War, has received death threats by phone at his family's home. Narvaiz condemned the action of those who have threatened the officer's life.

Stephens joined the San Marcos Police Department in March 2007 after leaving the military. He has no previous history of complaints and has a good record of service with the department.

Mayor Narvaiz also spoke about the actions of a backup officer who tried to revive the dog.

"Officer Joyce Bender took the dog in her hands, tried to clear its airway and tried to get it breathing again," said Narvaiz. "She was unsuccessful and Officer Bender believed that dog was already dead."

To view the entire statement from the Mayor, click here  (PDF).

**Below is the story from Monday, Aug. 18 on the dog owner's point-of-view.**

Michael Gonzales gave a $3,000 teacup poodle to his girlfriend as a graduation gift. Missy, the dog, was almost three-years-old and weighed three pounds.

The little pup had a big appetite and last Tuesday morning, Missy choked while gobbling down her dinner. With her airway partially blocked, veterinarian care was a must.

"We jumped in the car rushed down to the New Braunfels pet clinic. She had just gone limp right as we ran out of door," said Gonzales.

The dash cam video from the San Marcos police officer's car shows Gonzales speeding down I-35, police say at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

"I completely understand why he pulled me over. I see that from the way I was driving and I can understand him being upset at first," said Gonzales.

It is what Officer Paul Stephens said next that has Gonzales outraged.

"It's just a dog, you can get another one," said Officer Stephens during the stop.

Those words got Officer Stephens in trouble and it sent chills down Gonzales' spine to hear the phrase more than a week later.

"I don't understand why he continued to be so inconsiderate" said Gonzales.

He says that behavior continued while he stood behind his SUV and his dog died. Officer Stephens kept up what his own boss described as 'inappropriate behavior,' even after he knew what was going on with the dog.

"There are other ways to deal with the problem besides to tell someone basically it's just a dog," said Chief Howard Williams, with the San Marcos Police Department.

"He never said he was sorry, didn't even apologize for the time it took to write the ticket," said Gonzales.

While Gonzales feels that Officer Stephens should have been suspended, Chief Williams chose to reprimand the officer as well as counsel him to make sure this does not happen again.

**Below is the story from Thursday, Aug. 14 on the police officer's point-of-view.**

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - A San Marcos police officer is under fire for his actions during a traffic stop where a puppy died. The San Marcos Police Chief took the complaint seriously that was filed last week by Michael Gonzales and his girlfriend.

Chief Howard Williams began investigating the matter and determined that Officer Paul Stephens was not guilty of misconduct, but the officer's behavior was not appropriate during the tense situation.

Officer Paul Stephens' dash cam video was revealing. It began when Officer Stephens pulled over Michael Gonzales for speeding down I-35, near the San Marcos Outlets.

"[Michael Gonzales] was probably doing about 100 [mph] down the express way, weaving in and out of traffic," said Chief Howard Williams, with the San Marcos Police Department.

The video shows Gonzales pulling his car over at a dangerous area on a bridge. Officer Stephens then instructs him to drive a few feet further to a safer spot along the highway. Instead, Gonzales took off at a high rate of speed, crossing numerous lanes behind 18-wheeler trucks. When the driver finally stops, he gets out on command, but his behavior is alarming.

He is yelling that his dog is dying, but Officer Stephens can barely understand what he is saying. The officer investigates while Gonzales paces and waves his arms, on the brink of hysteria.

Gonzales clarifies to the officer that his puppy is dying.

"It's just a dog, you can get another one," said Officer Paul Stephens.

Those insensitive sounding words are