Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have confirmed that Judge Joshua Dieden has denied pre-trial release for Nathan Gonzalez, a Naperville resident. Gonzalez is accused of killing the family dog and threatening his stepdaughters. He faces charges including one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class Four Felony, and two counts of misdemeanor endangering the health or life of a child. Additionally, Gonzalez will be detained on unrelated misdemeanor domestic battery charges, following allegations he struck his wife with a baseball bat.

The incident occurred on September 29, 2024, when Naperville police received a 911 call from a fourteen-year-old girl reporting that her stepfather had killed their dog and threatened her and her sister. Officers found the girls at home but Gonzalez and the dog were missing. The investigation revealed that after an argument with his wife, Gonzalez allegedly threatened to kill the dog. Upon returning home, his wife found him there but not the dog. An argument followed where Gonzalez allegedly confessed to killing the dog and dumping its body at a construction site before leaving again.

Police later found Gonzalez hiding behind a dumpster nearby. The next day, animal control officers discovered the dog's body at the site with blunt force trauma as the cause of death.

“It is alleged that following a disagreement with his wife, Nathan Gonzalez violently killed Rocco, the family dog, and threatened the life of his two stepdaughters,” said Berlin. “These allegations...are simply unconscionable...Because of his alleged actions, Mr. Gonzalez is now facing a serious felony charge.”

Chief Arres commented: “This is a disturbing case...I'm grateful to our patrol, investigations, and Animal Control officers for putting together a solid case against the person responsible.”

Gonzalez’s arraignment on the aggravated cruelty charge is set for November 18 in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.

It should be noted that these are only charges; they do not constitute proof of guilt. A defendant remains innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.