Grace Saenz-Lopez

Grace Saenz-Lopez is a former mayor of the city of Alice, Texas.

Saenz-Lopez was indicted on January 18, 2008 on two felony counts of tampering with evidence and concealing evidence following the theft of a dog belonging to vacationing neighbors. During their absence she called the neighbors and claimed that the dog had died. The dog, a Shih Tzu named Puddles but called "Panchito" by the mayor, was later spotted at her sister's home. She faced a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit filed by the neighbors.

City council members held a vote of no confidence and recall petition affidavits were gathered. On February 1, before a date for such an election could be set, Saenz-Lopez resigned from office.

The story received nationwide attention due in part to the mayor's important public status in Alice community and her bizarre rationale for the theft and deception, claiming the dog was mistreated by its owners and that she did it in the dog's best interest. Reporting by KZTV news in Corpus Christi, Texas and other local news outlets was quickly picked up by national bureaus. The dog Puddles was returned to its owners by court order in April.

On July 16, 2008 it was reported that Saenz-Lopez had struck a plea agreement with prosecutors. In exchange for pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false report, all other charges, including two felonies, were dropped. The former mayor was ordered to pay a fine, do community service, and has been placed on two years probation.

External links

• L.A. Times: "Texas mayor is in a puddle of trouble"
• A.P.: "Texas mayor in dog fracas could lose job"
• City Council of Alice, Texas
• Texas mayor resigns over Shih Tzu (BBC)
• Alice Echo News: "Puddles plea ends in probation"
• Ex mayors plea deal ends texas dognapping case