Waseca man charged after dog found frozen to death

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Raul Rene Gonzalez Jr., 29, of Waseca is facing multiple charges linked to a Rochester animal torture case.

According to the criminal complaint in Olmsted County, Gonzalez’s dog was allegedly left outside in freezing temperatures and later found dead.

He faces two charges, one felony count of overworking or mistreating an animal resulting in death, and one misdemeanor count of depriving an animal of food or shelter.

The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to the complaint, the Rochester Police Department (RPD) responded to a report of animal neglect at a residence just before 8 p.m., Jan. 22, 2026

A witness told officers about a video posted online that evening from a second witness. The video showed a brown and white dog lying deceased inside a kennel, captioned with an allegation that Gonzalez had left the dog outside in freezing temperatures, resulting in its death.

The first witness provided RPD with direct message correspondence between herself and the second witness. In those messages, the complaint states the second witness said Gonzalez “let [sic.] her in the freezing weather to die,” referring to the dog.

Witness accounts

On Jan. 23, 2026, an Animal Control Officer interviewed the second witness, who said she saw a dog she identified as “Snookie” deceased inside Gonzalez’s garage on Jan. 22.

Three days later, a third witness was interviewed, who said he had retrieved a dog from Gonzalez’s residence on the morning of Jan. 24, for the purpose of cremation.

The complaint states this witness reported the dog was frozen to the bottom of a metal cage, had visible trauma to its underside and was left in an unnatural position. The witness said the dog appeared to have suffered prior to its death. Gonzalez told the witness the dog had died on Jan. 19, 2026, according to the complaint.

On Jan. 30, 2026, RPD conducted a follow-up interview with the same witness, who said he had located the cage in which the dog had been contained inside Gonzalez’s garage. The witness reported bodily fluids appeared to have accumulated around the dog, which contributed to the dog becoming frozen to the cage, the complaint states.

Public records cited in the complaint indicate windchill temperatures on the night of Jan. 18, 2026, reached well below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Court proceedings

Olmsted County Judge Christa Daily found probable cause and issued a summons for Gonzalez on Aug. 21, 2026.

Gonzalez is required to appear in court to answer the complaint. Failure to appear could result in a warrant for his arrest and additional criminal charges, according to the complaint.

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