Bronx Dog Fighter Sentenced to Hard Time

Monday, February 11, 2013 - 3:30pm
Bronx Dog Fighter Sentenced to Hard Time

The dogs rescued from a Bronx dog fighter’s basement last year are finally getting justice. Raul Sanchez, who pleaded guilty to dog fighting a few weeks ago, is now heading to prison.

Last week a judge sentenced Sanchez to one to three years for animal fighting, one year for animal cruelty and one year for criminal possession of a weapon. (Sanchez will serve these sentences concurrently.)

He’s also been slapped with a ban on keeping animals for the duration of his parole. Sanchez waived his right to appeal.

We hope Sanchez’s sentence serves as a reminder to dog fighters that their crimes against innocent animals carry serious consequences.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Dog Fighting
NYC

Comments

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:16 — Harriet Kaufman (Visitor)
I know you don't care.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:18 — Harriet Kaufman (Visitor)
I don't know what to say to want you make you want to care about dogs and cats.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:21 — Heather (Visitor)
What I don't understand is why will he be allowed to have an animal after he is finished with parole? You don't commit such a sick act and then change just like that. It makes me nervous to know that a dog fighter is allowed to posses a creature of Gods to victimize once again.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:24 — Donna (Visitor)
Exactly. He's banned from owning animals for the duration of parole? Seriously? He shouldn't be around animals ever again! 1 yr in jail isn't enough. And that's all he'll serve, if that. The laws for animals are a joke.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:31 — Carrie (Visitor)
I agree. It would be like saying a child molester can't be around kids til his parole is up, but after that feel free to do what you think is right. And what he thinks is right, is just disgustingly wrong. This piece of crap deserves a 44 Magnum enema for his treatment of these gorgeous dogs.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:23 — Lisa (Visitor)
Yeah 1 - 3 years is really going to scare people that watch dogs tear each other apart!! They deserve MUCH, MUCH more time than that if they want these low lifes to take this serious!! These poor Pits are at risk of being banned THE WHOLE BREED b/c of pepole like this & he only gets 1-3 years for taking how many dogs lives??? Does't seem fair to me at all!!!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 13:06 — Nicole (Visitor)
I agree totally! It's not fair! He should have to spend at least one year for every dogs life that he murdered. And the fact that after a couple of years he can own dogs again!?! Seriously that is beyond injustice. Dogs are the most innocent loving loyal animals. It's so sad that people can get away with doing this. So many people are in agreement so can't we do something to make the punishments more appropriate? (Within reality....not what we'd actually like to do to them ourselves). No human being should be okay with that sentencing. Not even the Judge!! Punishments like that will never make those low life despicable people reconsider their heinous crime!

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:23 — KONA (Visitor)
He should be made to help train dogs in that prisoner/ dog program. If he messes up more jail time.. He will learn to appreciate animals after that.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:18 — Linda Bolander (Visitor)
Good idea! There are a lot of programs like that available in the US. I hope there is one where he is going. Where he is going ultimately I suppose there are none, but for now...

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:05 — kelly (Visitor)
having him work with animals in prison is like having a child molester work in a day care

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:17 — Mary Hayden (Visitor)
That is a PERFECT comparison (daycare). This guy will just have his operation relocated and run it through others while he's in jail. I truly wish the punishment would fit the crime, but these types just think serving some time makes them bigger bada$$es.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 13:39 — silvia (Visitor)
Desde mi paìs, apoyo y estoy totalmente de acuerdo con los comentarios anteriores a èste. Estos personajes, llamados seres porque respiran, aunque no entran en la categorìa de humanos, ni de animales, no merecen ningùn tipo de consideraciòn. Lamentablemente existen,como una enfermedad. Busquemos el remedio hasta que se extinga por completo.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:25 — bill (Visitor)
Now the SOB will find out what he put those dogs through

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 10:52 — lisa (Visitor)
amen!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 10:58 — Denise (Visitor)
From your lips to God's ear: my biggest hope is that he learns some real tough lessons where he is going. I pray that when he gets out, he even sees a dog he trembles in fear and runs the other way!

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:33 — Clare (Visitor)
I think he should get 3 years or whatever for each dog that was taken from him and more if dead bodies were found.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 10:56 — Jessica (Visitor)
I agree!! A sentence for each dog! Poor dogs. Dog fighting stories make me so angry. I'm glad he's being punished--but it is not nearly enough time.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:39 — butcher1949 (Visitor)
If that sick F$#k get's off with innocent dogs fighting, why does'nt he step it up and fight himself, don't tell me that getting his throat ripped out wouldn't be a rush for him!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:00 — Deensee (Visitor)
I like the way you think!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:22 — Bob R (Visitor)
Because people that Fight Dogs, Hogs, Roosters, are all a bunch of cowards and would never step in the ring themselves, they might get hurt.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:43 — Debbie Mitsakos (Visitor)
A lifetime ban from owning any animals would be TOO MUCH to ask? I really don't understand that one

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 00:34 — S. O. Rooney (Visitor)
We all can agree that he is a detestable scum bag that should have gotten much worse than he got. The sentence he received is practically an invitation to keep making money killing dogs once he gets out. But to let him have animals again? That is just plain insulting to society, people that really do care, and the animals they care about.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:29 — Claudette Possani (Visitor)
I think that only 1-3 years in jail is toooooo little time for the horror and mercyless that he inflicted those animals, he had to get at least 20 years inprison, and not way to be allowed to own (any kind of animals)

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:42 — Noreen Farrell (Visitor)
I agree with all the comments....he should have gotten so much more time and be made to endure the same treatment he doled out.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:44 — Seonna Lennon (Visitor)
Nice to see that all Governments are starting to take this seriously and hit the perpetrators hard. Dog fighting is the most horrible thing in the world. These guys usually use pit bulls, which gives the breed a bad name, they are the sweetest most loving dogs you could find. Keep up the good work of getting these guys behind bars!!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 06:47 — diana (Visitor)
Seriously??? You actually think this punishment/sentence was adequate? Who's side are you on anyway?

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:00 — Kathleen Ayres (Visitor)
I totally agree with Diana. That is not a sentence. The only reason he pleaded guilty is now he gets to go to prison and "network" for more business. I also agree with the many who said he should NEVER AGAIN be allowed to have pets. What is wrong with THAT judge?!!!!He should have to work to pay spay and neuter fees for the local shelter for the rest of his life.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:37 — ren reid (Visitor)
You Pit bull lovers are annoying. "They are the most loving breed?" really? more than other breeds? what an absurd comment. Do you even know what pittbull are bred for? They have a bad rep for a reason. Wake up!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:19 — Beth Tucker (Visitor)
Your ignorance is appalling. Pitt bulls are sweet dogs. They are bred, tortured, and "trained" by the scum of the earth to fight. They are given no chance to do anything else. If they refuse to fight they are given to other dogs so they can learn to kill. It's people like you who tacitly allow these heinous acts to occur.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:31 — Melissa M (Visitor)
Ignorant people who spout their ignorance are way more annoying. Pit bulls have a bad rep because they tend to be owned by the type of people that neglect them, abuse them, breed them over and over, use them for bait or fighting dogs and dump them in shelters. They have strong jaws and are capable of more damage..but, just like with any other breed, if they are abused, neglected and not socialized they will become aggressive toward other dogs. I rescue pit bulls and haven't come across one that is aggressive toward people. No matter how much they are chained up, neglected, bred over and over, used as bait dogs or even used for fighting, they still continue to love and trust people. They are affectionate, and in general, tend to be good with children and even cats. So yes, you can say they are among the most loving breeds, that's why people that are familiar with them call them "kiss bulls" and people that know nothing about them cause so many to be needlessly destroyed.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:33 — Marie (Visitor)
Coming from someone who has adopted APBTs, I can honestly say that they are just as or more affectionate than many other breeds that I have come in contact with. Most aggression comes from poor treatment and a lack of socialization, both of which can usually be corrected with the appropriate help. Occasionally there are bad apples but that is true for all breeds as well as people from all walks of life. There is no such thing as a bad breed of dog, that's one more media driven stereotype. 

Fri, 02/22/2013 - 13:15 — jANIE RAPP (Visitor)
YOU ARE A COMPLETE jACKASS AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!, AND ARE THE REASON WHY THEY GET A BAD RAPP! OWN ONE AND GET AROUND THEM. MAYBE YOU ARE ANNOYING.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:55 — Perry Boero (Visitor)
I don't believe his punishment was enough. Dog fighters should be given life in prison, period. If were up to me they'd be given the death penalty, but I understand those who do not support the death penality, so I'll argue for life in prison. Yes, dog fighting is that serious. To say a 2 to five sentence in prison is justice for such a crime is a gross understatement. Dogs are like us, they get one chance at life. Just one. The dogs are tortured brutally by these scum bags. It's only fair that the punishment should fit the crime. 5 years is not enough.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:56 — Surreal (Visitor)
I know many would like to see this man serve the entire three years, as would I. However, lets not forget that it wasn't too long ago that the punishment was merely having animals taken away, not being allowed to have anymore and a hefty fine. Thank the powers that be that disturbed individuals like this man actually DO get jail time now.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 21:04 — jess (Visitor)
Thank you for the update. I'm glad he got at least a few years. He won't do it again imo. : ).

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 10:57 — Danielle (Visitor)
Really???? He won't do it again??? Do rapists rape again, do pedophiles fondle and rape children again, do drunk drivers drive drunk again, do drug users use drugs again, even after having gone to jail? YES, they usually do... That's really wishful thinking to believe that he won't do it again. Once a scumbag, always a scumbag... IMO.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:19 — david (Visitor)
A 3 year sentence is a joke to a douchebag/scumbag like him !

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:21 — Lisa (Visitor)
Are you SERIOUS?!? Who ARE you??

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 21:21 — Pbro (Visitor)
Good start, but I think he deserves more punishment. I hope that these terms includes turning in the other known dog fighters!

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 21:42 — Teri (Visitor)
It's about time the courts are taking animal cruelty seriously. People who have no respect for an animals life have none for a human life. Thanks to whoever that judge was.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 22:56 — Mae (Visitor)
I agree with everyone who had there mind set straight. I don't think this man should even have ANY animals after jail and probation. You go to jail... Nothing will change! It should have been a little log like 10-20 years give or take. Just because animals may be a little lower then humans DOESN'T mean they shouldn't get the right amount of justice! But I am glad he got caught. If you see animal abuse or human abuse take stand and stop it. You will change lives

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 08:02 — terry (Visitor)
let's just hope he dies in jail, get's beaten to death in a prison yard fight so he knows how those animals felt. and animals are not at all lower than humans. they are our equals or higher. but humans say they are so that is how they are treated. and it's people who think and say they are that are part of the problem. if we treat them like equals and value them as we value human life, only then will things start to really change.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:31 — Michelle (Visitor)
Beating him to death would be too good for him. I hope some really big guy makes a bitch out of him and uses him every night. Then after about a year of this they can beat him to death.

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 09:07 — LeAnn (Visitor)
1 to 3 yrs is not even close to being justice. Those poor babies suffered more pain than this stupid jackass could ever feel. He should've fried for this.

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 13:59 — Lisa Hall (Visitor)
Nice, it's about time; should get justice more!!

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 14:16 — Nena (Visitor)
I do think that they should have to register and not be allowed to ever have animals again

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 19:47 — sue (Visitor)
I feel the sentence is too light and do not understand why he should ever be allowed to have animals again.

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 21:15 — Eve (Visitor)
Not nearly enough time in prison, I hope he rots. Post his stupid face so he can be shamed even more. F*** you.

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 21:17 — Christine Heidt (Visitor)
Heaven is by favor; if it were by merit your dog would go in and you would stay out. Of all the creatures ever made, man is the most detestable. Of the entire brood, he is the only one that possesses malice. He is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~Mark Twain

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:40 — Ann (Visitor)
I think he got off too easy, he deserved more. Poor dogs rely on us, not to be used or abused.

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