Pit bull attacks S.F. woman

A 23-year-old Santa Fe woman was attacked by a pit bull Friday at about 7:30 a.m. as she was walking toward an apartment in the 3000 block of Jemez Road, the Sheriff's Department reported.

Sheriff Greg Solano said Desiree Martinez was treated at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for injuries to both hands, her right forearm, right calf and left thigh and released.

The dog was seized and taken to the county animal shelter where it was quarantined pending an investigation.

Solano said the dog ran at Martinez after it came from around the back of one of four apartments in the small complex. He said two women were able to pull the dog off Martinez, but it attacked again. An unidentified man, whom deputies suspect might be the dog's owner, was able to break off the attack, Solano said.

After talking with Martinez at the hospital, deputies returned to the apartments and found the dog tied up in front of one of the buildings. There was no ID tag on the dog. Solano said deputies were investigating a report that the animal might have been bred for fighting, although there were no scratches or other fighting injuries on the dog, and the suspected owner denies this.

Highway vendor arrested with stolen property

A 46-year-old Española man, attempting to peddle a washing machine and clothes dryer, tools and other items out of his pickup along U.S. 84/285 south of Española was arrested Thursday evening after a burglary victim recognized some of the property as his — including the Marine Corps cap the vendor was wearing.

State police Lt. Eric Garcia said Harold Gutierrez, 46, was booked into Santa Fe County jail on charges of receiving stolen property and receiving or transferring a stolen all-terrain vehicle.

Garcia said that dozens of other items were seized from Gutierrez's home across the highway from where he had parked his truck in front of the Santa Fe Winery. The property included the ATV, a laptop computer, ladders, car ramps, a sewing machine, a 40-inch flat-screen TV, numerous saws, a Guitar Hero 2 video game, wooden chairs, religious artifacts, blankets and paint rollers.

Garcia said a friend of the victim passed by the truck on the east side of the highway and thought some of the items looked familiar. He told his friend, who later stopped by Gutierrez's pickup and pretended to be interested in buying some of the property.

"He (Gutierrez) told him he had a lot more stuff at his home across the road," Garcia said. At the home the victim recognized other property, and state police were called. Garcia said investigators are attempting to identify and contact other owners of the stolen property.

Cochiti man racks up 11th DWI

A Cochiti man was arrested and charged with his 11th DWI offense after he crashed his car into a cable barrier in the median of Interstate 25 north of Santa Domingo, state police said Friday.

Lt. Eric Garcia said officers who came upon the crash Monday reported Joseph Benado, 42, had passed out and had crashed his northbound Chevy Cavalier into the barrier. Benado apparently was not seriously injured, but he blew .29 in a breath-alcohol test.

Benado was booked into the Santa Fe County jail on charges of driving under the influence, driving with a revoked or suspended license, no insurance and careless driving.

N.M. parks to remain open during furloughs

New Mexico's state parks will remain open during the three remaining furlough days for state employees.

Gov. Bill Richardson announced the change Friday, saying he received dozens of requests from residents, municipalities and businesses to keep the parks open to avoid the impacts closures would have on local economies.

New Mexico State Parks and the State Personnel Office have worked out a plan that will enable the state to save money while keeping parks open. Employees who are needed to keep parks open on designated furlough days will be required to take alternate days off.

Richardson ordered five days of furloughs to save $8.1 million.

The first two were Dec. 24 and Jan. 15. The others are March 5, April 2 and May 28.

Program on mental health planned

The Santa Fe branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host a program Monday focusing on combat related mental health issues.

The presentation is aimed at veterans and their families and friends and will feature a panel of experts who will provide information on issues such as post traumatic stress disorder, warning signs of suicide and available mental health services.

The event is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. Monday at LifeLink, 2325 Cerrillos Road. For more information, call 474-8171.