Winton man arrested for allegedly killing friend’s dog, forcing him to bury it
A 57-year-old Winton man faces animal cruelty, kidnapping, gun and assault charges after he shot and killed a friend’s dog and forced the friend to bury it, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services received a report on Monday of the alleged incident in Winton.
The reporting party stated that his friend James Charles Morales shot and killed his dog and then forced the owner, at gunpoint, to bury the dog, the Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
During the investigation, deputies learned the incident stemmed from Morales becoming upset during what initially appeared to be joking between friends.
Morales pulled out a handgun, threatened to shoot the victim’s dog and then did so. The dog was shot multiple times, the post said.
Morales then pointed the handgun at the friend and forced the person to bury the dog, the victim reported.
Investigators obtained and served a search warrant in the 6500 block of Nicholas Drive in Winton.
Deputies saw Morales leaving the residence in a vehicle and took him into custody without incident, the post said.
Investigators found multiple 9mm spent cartridge casings in the backyard of the property and a 9mm handgun inside the residence. Investigators also located the remains of a recently deceased dog in a shallow grave on the side of the residence, the post said.
The dog’s remains were recovered and transported to the Merced County Animal Shelter. A necropsy will be conducted at a later date, the post said.
Investigators booked Morales into the Merced County Jail on charges of animal cruelty, kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and assault with a firearm.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445.
This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 10:26 AM.
