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

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:45 — Cliff Earp (Visitor)
Very well said. Agree totally!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:48 — Pat Mims (Visitor)
I agree 100%, they should be punished the same way the animal was abused. This might make them think twice before doing it again, if they survive.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:00 — Pat (Visitor)
I have had that same philosophy for years. If you abuse an animal, your punishment should be what you did to the animal. Starving, tied up outside in the cold and elements, unclean surroundings, often beaten and consumed with bugs and open sores,etc. Do this for a period of time instead of a warm cell with 3 meals a day AND FRESH WATER, and see if your attitude changes about the value of every life!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 18:15 — Susan Mehas (Visitor)
Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states. We just need to make the laws stronger. People who participate in this are violent by nature. He needs to go to jail for long time....and he needs to be neutered.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:03 — Maria (Visitor)
I agree with you 100%. I feel that anyone who hurts animals or human beings, should get the same done to them - exactly the same. An eye for an eye as far as I'm concerned.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:13 — Sandy (Visitor)
Well said!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:39 — Joyce Wood (Visitor)
Yes, I totally agree. Give them the same consideration they gave the poor animals they abused and exploited!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:59 — Angel (Visitor)
I agree that whatever bad thing you do to an animal, it must be done to you and I would love to watch it. No mercy for animal abusers.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 16:59 — Norene Hamilton (Visitor)
Why are there not longer sentences for abusing and killing animals? Does someone somewhere think that animals don' feel pain - both physical and emotional? Why should it be so small a price? It is abuse and it is murder pure and simple. Animals have pure souls and are on this earth to enjoy life, not to be tortured and traumatized by stupid humans. And I agree - an eye for an eye!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 18:40 — Jennifer G. (Visitor)
I agree, but oh no...then the justice system might actually provide justice. pretty rare these days...very sad, but true.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:51 — billygoat (Visitor)
Amen. Give it right back to them !!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 00:19 — Dylan Guy (Visitor)
I totally agree. Humankind has to learn the value of animals they are living, loving, creatures and deserve our love and support. Anyone harming an animal is taking up space and air that could be better put to use by laboratory mice. Get rid of these so called humans.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:09 — Elizabeth (Visitor)
I totally agree with you Dog fight (or any animal fight) is disgusting

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 20:15 — debbie gorman (Visitor)
i agree ...and the sooner theres harsher punishment the sooner these evil waste of skin and good air will stop this ..

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 12:21 — Kiaya (Visitor)
I agree, that guy should be in jail longer and suffer for his horrible acts. And the worst part is that he will probably start fighting dogs right after he gets out of jail

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:46 — Elsa (Visitor)
I concur in that the sentence falls short in sending a message to those who purposely harm and mistreat animals. The judicial system ought to view and treat animals as more than chattel.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:04 — kelly (Visitor)
why isn't there an IRS charge for money untaxed during dog fights? Usually drugs are present as well. Tax evasion might add to prison time?????????????

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 13:49 — Ann Fenner (Visitor)
The comment to have these criminals investigated for unpaid taxes is great. The IRS is relentless and they view subjects as guilty until proven innocent. You are right, that may increase their sentences.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 16:40 — Tricia Hamilton (Visitor)
Bring them Down!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:51 — Cliff Earp (Visitor)
Well actually there could be. All income is taxable whether legal or not. However, the government must be able, in a court of law, to document and prove a profit (income less expenses). Very difficult and time consuming especially when dealing with this type of sub human. Judges/Lawyes are the problem. In this type of case as in many wildlife violations, they continue to only slap the perps on the wrist. Retired Special Agent IRS-Criminal Investigation

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:11 — Colleen (Visitor)
I KNOW THAT JUDGE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT IN REALITY HE WOULD BE OUT IN A MUCH SHORTER TIME THAN THE SENTENCE!! HE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM MUCH LONGER SENTENCE SO HE WOULD ACTUALLY DO AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME. AFTER BEING RELEAST HE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AT A LOCAL SHELTER CARING FOR THE POOR LITTLE DOGS AND CATS THAT ARE ABUSED AND DUMPED DAILY.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:12 — Sue Shattell (Visitor)
You are very... right! He also needs a mental evaluation and moral instruction, along with 10,000 hours of community service with animals. Don't these people know that dogs are our best friends! Dogs are forever loyal and loving to their death. This is a total betrayal of that bond. Their friends will never give them one tenth the the love and loyalty a dog will.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:24 — Linda (Visitor)
Not nearly enough time for such extreme cruelty to animals. And the sentences should NOT be run concurrently.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:55 — Marie Brygider (Visitor)
I agree. Like Michael Vick, who got out in 18 mos. The sentences for these crimes need to be made longer. Animals shouldn't have to suffer; they are victims.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:16 — luddy (Visitor)
I also get a kick out of the one year for "criminal possession of a weapon." But let's publish the addresses of law abiding gun owners. At least the case was fully prosecuted and kudos to all of those involved in that, especially those who risk their lives at every arrest.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:20 — lynne (Visitor)
50 dogs... should net 50 years !!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:25 — Mike (Visitor)
The only true (potential) deterrent for things like this is the death penalty. A few months (in NY, a 1-3 sentence means maybe a few months) is NOT going to scare anyone whose 2nd home is Rikers Island. Do unto others... Convicted of this crime? You're locked in a room with other offenders and it's a fight to the death. If you win, great - you get to fight again tomorrow. Sad that people could be loathsome enough to make me even think of something like that...

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:02 — Rose Mayfield (Visitor)
I totally agree it's only a start, the punishment should be harder. People will think harder when they fight these poor dogs

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 22:03 — Anne Cutler (Visitor)
Definitely not a harsh enough sentence!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 14:51 — Karen Ford (Visitor)
I fully agree "NOT ENOUGH TIME"! He can't have animals while on parole....what about when he is no longer on parole???

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 17:56 — Maria (Visitor)
This is crazy!!! He only gets 18 months???? He's just going to continue where he left off when he gets out!!! He needs to be punished more and more severely!!! This is horrible! Monsters who do this should not get away with it so lightly. I hope you guys keep and eye out when this awful monster is released!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 19:10 — Michael (Visitor)
No NO it's not enough,not nearly enough time for fighting and killing Dogs..Why don't they get the same amount of timefor killing dogs as they do for killing humans.Dogs are smarter than these people fighting them.A dog will do what you train them to do.So give the trainers the same amount of time for killing a dog as they would get for killing a human..Dogs have the same rights to live as a human..Actually they have more rights then the scumbag training them !!!!!!!!!!!

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 17:56 — Nancy Belycia (Visitor)
Why do these people get away with these crimes against these poor animals. All they want is love and a good home. This guy needs to get more than just a slap on the wrist. He should be charged with 3 acts of animal cruelty. I am afraid he will be out in 18 months and then be allowed to have another dog. What is wrong with the justice system.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 08:36 — Susan (Visitor)
Concurrant means at the same time or a one year sentence.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 17:50 — Samara (Visitor)
The 1-3 year sentence is insulting to the dogs that were abused!! They suffered much more torment and imprisonment than this sentence will give to the abuser! Not to mention, he is also sentenced to a year for a weapons charge, but he gets to serve that concurrently, instead of consecutively! If the sentences weren't concurrent, he would have to do at least 2 full years! Until the laws and punishments become stricter, I hardly believe other criminals would find this a deterrent!

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:04 — Amanda Porter (Visitor)
I am so glad that he is going to jail however I can't believe he isn't getting more time! I think he should get more like 20 years.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 10:54 — Susan (Visitor)
I think he should get more time too. And he should never, ever be able to get another animal.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:17 — CAROL (Visitor)
I agree. Dog fighting is dispicable. You know they use "bait" dogs and also kidnap family pets to use in their vicious "sport." I hope and pray the laws get changed to make the blood-thirsty monsters that get involved in animal fighting, get long prison sentences.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:19 — Janey (Visitor)
I agree!! More time and never EVER be able to have an animal in his hands again!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:40 — Susan (Visitor)
I agree with you 100%! A longer sentence and no animals, ever!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 18:44 — Jennifer G. (Visitor)
Yep...he should be treated like a sex offender who committed unspeakable crimes against a toddler! We can always hope that the other prisoners treat animal abusers like they do child abusers...kind of likely now that they have all of those programs w/ prisoners working w/ dogs & developing very strong bonds w/ them!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:49 — adriane (Visitor)
exactly he should get 20 something years that will make him think about what hes done to these poor defenseless animals. I love the way u think

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:12 — M Collins (Visitor)
Get real.....even MURDERERS don't necessarily get 20 years.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:59 — Avocado (Visitor)
..one could say that murder isn't limited to just humans. It all comes down to how much someone values the life of a non-human being. Personally, if someone slaughtered my dog, I would yell bloody murder, but not everyone has the same sort of bond. I wish it could be tried as murder, or at least as a crime that merits more than a decade of incarceration or what have you.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:11 — Lisa K. (Visitor)
A decade?? Not even close!! He only got slapped with 3 years. And also only cuz he also had a weapons charge. Sad. :( and he'll be out in less than 1. Total Injustice :`(

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:42 — Rita DiCaprio (Visitor)
Much tougher sentences are necessary to stop this cruel practice. the longer we keep these vicious people behind bars, the better the chance that they won't return to the practice. Maybe that would deter others who are also making animals fight.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 15:23 — lynne whittington (Visitor)
Animals are trusting non-verbal sentient beings. They count on us to take care of them.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:06 — Rob Whitford (Visitor)
They Have no voice, We are their only hope, Justice has been served.

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 20:14 — Ganusiyosta (Visitor)
I don't understand how they're even allowed to have animals after this! They should be banned from owning or being within the same vicinity of any animals. It's like child molesters, rapist! Do they think they're going to stop their behavior just because they went to jail?

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:15 — Beverly Braxton (Visitor)
I agree... this person should have to serve more time and like you mentioned - HE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO OWN ANOTHER ANIMAL!

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