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Artist: Santa Fe Police Pulled Rifle For Dog Poop

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A well-known American Indian artist says police in New Mexico pulled a rifle on him after his dog pooped in his SUV and a woman mistook his cleanup efforts for a burglary.

Pueblo painter Mateo Romero told The Associated Press that a Santa Fe officer pointed a weapon at him during the bizarre misunderstanding Monday.

According to a police report, the officer pulled out a rifle and detained Romero after Maria Markus reported a burglary in progress at her home.

Romero says he parked into her private driveway after his Shih Tzu named Han Solo relieved himself inside his SUV and Romero sought to clean the mess.

Romero says Markus spotted him in her driveway, boxed him in with her vehicle and called 911.

He says Markus refused to talk to him before police arrived.