An El Paso family is devastated after one of their dogs was stabbed to death by a family member.

The incident happened in 200 block of Fountain on Saturday night.

"I just can't believe he's gone - we had him for a while. I was planning to have him for at least 14-13 years," said Jacob Medina, owner of the dog.

Medina spoke exclusively spoke to KFOX about the killing of his Jack Russell-mix named "G." The only picture Medina has left to remember his pup is on his cell phone.

Medina claims his brother, 31-year-old Henry Alarcon, for some reason stabbed the family dog.

"He's been having like mood swings and has been acting pretty crazy," said Medina.

In the last 10 years, the Humane Society of the United States has been documenting the connection between animal cruelty and family violence.

"It's a show of power of the batterer. He or she might be threatening the family by saying, 'I'm going to hurt the pet.' It's also the rage that's against the family, it's easy to kick a dog, hurt a dog, cut a dog," said Flo Buchmuller, interim executive director of the El Paso Humane Society.

The El Paso Police Department has a warrant out for Alarcon, who faces a third-degree felony charge.

The Animal Cruelty Heartline in El Paso, a fairly new organization, is currently working with the El Paso Police Department to put special training together for officers on how to recognize signs of animal cruelty and the link between that and family violence.

To report animal abuse cases, call the Animal Cruelty Heartline at 833-1737.