Man arrested for shooting his dogs

A Simi Valley resident was arrested last Wednesday for allegedly shooting to death his two pet dogs in the backyard of his home.

Rafael Calderon Jr., 49, was arrested for felonious cruelty to animals after Simi Valley police and a Ventura County Animal Regulation officer determined that he shot his two pit bulls mulitple times with a semiautomatic handgun. Simi officers were responding to reports of gunshots fired in the area near Barnard Street, where Calderon lives.

According to police, officers seized a firearm and a necropsy will be performed on the deceased dogs by the Ventura County Animal Control officials.

Calderon Jr. has since been released on bail. He was scheduled to be in court May 8.