Cops: Elgin man killed roommate’s Chihauhua by throwing it at wall

A 20-year-old Elgin man faces felony animal cruelty charges for killing his roommates’s Chihuahua over the weekend by throwing it at a wall, police said.

Oscar Guerrero, of the 500 block of Lavoie Avenue, also faces charges of underage drinking, resisting arrest and battery after police were called to the 500 block of Lavoie at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Elgin Police Lt. Dan O’Shea said Guerrero was drinking at the house he shared with a roommate, and he asked his roommate to go into the basement and take some photos. The roommate refused and Guerrero turned his anger on the dog, which was on a nearby couch.

“(Guerrero) just grabbed it by the neck and threw it against the wall,” O’Shea said.

O’Shea could not immediately specify whether the dog died instantly, and he did not have additional information about the dog. Guerrero also is accused of pushing an officer and spitting in another officer’s face.

Guerrero faces one to three years in prison if convicted on the felony animal cruelty charge, but probation also is an option.

He is being held at the Kane County jail on $50,000 bail. If he posts the $5,000 required to be released while his case is pending, he is not allowed to own any animals, according to court documents.

Guerrero is next due in court on May 23.

This is not the first time Guerrero has been behind bars. According to court records, he was arrested in May 2010 by Elgin police and charged with driving under the influence; he spent 22 days in jail, was fined $2,135 and ordered to do 100 hours of community service.

His most recent arrest came in March 2012 for criminal trespass at the Grand Victoria Casino, records show. Guerrero spent 24 days in jail before pleading guilty and being sentenced to 11 months probation.