Man charged with killing lambs at high school

GONZALES, Calif. — A California man was arrested on charges that he broke onto a high school campus and killed two animals.

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In a news release, the Gonzales Police Department said it was called to the Gonzales High School 4-H grounds on Feb. 18 for a report of dead and injured farm animals. When officers arrived, they found two dead lambs and a third that was severely injured. The injured animal was taken to a veterinarian hospital for treatment.

Police said that on Feb. 23, officers reviewed surveillance footage that allowed them to identify a suspect accused of attacking the animals as Jose Jesse Marquez, 31, of Gonzales.

Police contacted Marquez, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant for an unrelated charge, KSBW reported. Marquez was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Officers said that when they questioned Marquez, he admitted to taking his bicycle to the high school with the intention of stealing a tool, KION reported. While on the campus, Marquez told officers he “felt angry” and bludgeoned the three lambs before leaving.

Marquez was taken to the Monterey County Jail on multiple charges, including cruelty to animals, and was held on an $80,000 bond, according to online records.

The Gonzales 4-H club told KION that thanks to the community, they were able to replace the lambs. The students in the program raise and care for the animals until they are old enough to be sold at auction.