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 - 18:57 — Edward Peterson (Visitor)
Maybe this might not be sufficient punishment, but how about wrapping bacon around his penis and testicles, and then releasing some hungry dogs to make his acquaintance. Although I still don't think the punishment is severe enough.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:03 — patricia caiazza (Visitor)
The sentence for this heartless, sick people shld be must more than a coupls of years. They shld searve at least 5 yrs without any parole. Give them time to think about what a horrible thing they hv done to helpness loving animals.Personable I wld like to put them in a ring with there trained fighting dogs and see how he likes it....

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:04 — Kelly (Visitor)
How about 1-3 years per dog???!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:06 — Leticia Santos (Visitor)
Me alegro muchisimo que este senor la esta pagando ahora.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:09 — WOLFSENT (Visitor)
He will be out in a matter of months. It's CRAP like this why professional assassination is the greatest public service. Start doing THAT, and I can guaran-goddamn-tee that dog abuse by thugs AND cops/government "authorities" WILL come to a slow roll.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:10 — judy (Visitor)
i agree with all of you that is not nearly enough time!! those poor dogs.there needs to be ALOT HARSHER PUNISHMENT for animal cruelty!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:11 — Melissa (Visitor)
Slap on the wrist, give these monsters hard time! Also, they should NEVER be allowed to own so much as a pet rock ever again.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:13 — Janice Rogers (Visitor)
I think he should serve no less than 7-10 years. For what people like him do to these dogs, it should really be 10 years or more. They are barbaric. They are killers. They also steal people's dogs to use to train Pit Bull for fighting.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:16 — Robin (Visitor)
WTF...serve the sentences concurrently? What's the point in even giving additional sentences if they all get to be lumped together??? Ridiculous.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:17 — Therese Church (Visitor)
I have read the comments and here is something you ALL can do. Draft up petitions or support those from the ASPCA so that the legislatiors hear YOUR VOICE! With that said your politicians will finally listen if you remain RELENTLESS and UNWAVERING and BOLDLY go in front of them if necessary to MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN. How do I know about all this??? Well it is because I have done dog rescue for a non-profit legit rescue for many years

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:30 — BlueOnyx (Visitor)
Should be 1-3 for EACH of the 50 dogs seized and time should be served CONSECUTIVELY. This sentence is a joke.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:33 — Doreen (Visitor)
I agree with everyone on this page. I feel that he will do it again as soon as he gets out. This sentence is like a walk in the park for these people! I think 15+ years would be a better sentence. This isnt going to solve anything at all! Such a disgrace!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:36 — Ellie (Visitor)
I think these idiots should serve their sentences consecutively, not concurrently. With no chance for parole. They should also have to give up all monies earned from this crime to pay for care and rehab of these dogs. AND they should have to pay for all of the expenses these dogs incur in their new homes for the rest of the dogs' lives. I should be a sitting judge.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:38 — Martha Spencer (Visitor)
He should never be allowed to own or have a dog again. This is just a gateway to human cruelty.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:39 — Dawn Tuskey (Visitor)
Although I too am disgusted by lenient sentences for animal & child abuse, I believe that jail time just isn't enough for the offender to understand the harmful severity his crime is to society. Offenders should be assigned pooper-scooper duty throughout various communities. They should also be required to work with service dog groups, border patrols, airport security, etc., so they can see first-hand the life-saving value dogs have in our everyday lives. You get the general idea. Where are the convictions for those who watched, wagered, etc.? These are the people who create the demand portion of this vile activity.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:51 — Keely MacKenzie (Visitor)
I don't think that serving time concurrently is fair. If he got 3 years for one thing, one for another and one for another, that makes 5 where I come from... not 3. Plus, that's not a stiff enough punishment to begin with.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:56 — Malakela (Visitor)
He should have received 5 years and never allowed to own another pet in his life. What a DUMB judge. He should be locked up as well. What a disappointment. JERK! I hope his cell mate gives him a little beating himself time and time again.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 19:58 — Tucker (Visitor)
THIS IS BETTER THAN OTHERS,BUT STILL NOT HARSH ENOUGH!!! COME ON JUDGES,LAW MAKERS AND LAWYERS TIME TO GET SERIOUS!!! WHY? BECASUE THIS IS AND ALL ANIMAL ABUSE,SUFFERING AND KILLING.MURDERING IS SERIOUS AND UNTIL YOU ALL START GETTING SERIOS IT WILL NEVER END!!!!!! YOUR IN MY HEART AND PRAYERS 50 PLUS DOGS IN THIS STORY!!!! I PRAY YOU ARE ALL SAFE AND HAPPY NOW!!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:08 — Jeanne (Visitor)
He should not be allowed to ever have animals again as part of the sentencing.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:15 — Dianne (Visitor)
I am glad to see that people who intentionally harm inncocent animals are finally getting justice served upon them. Animals cannot speak for themselves!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:18 — Keith Rempp (Visitor)
He should get the sentence most of the dogs will get in this case DEATH.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:24 — Agusta Baker (Visitor)
My gratitude to the judge for handing down a mandatory jail sentence and the ban on owning an animal.....we need more judges with the intergrity and good sense to make these crimes punishable by jail....thank you....

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:27 — patricia (Visitor)
Sadly, this kind of psychopath would learn almost nothing from the infliction of abuse upon HIM: However, putting him in the same legal category as CHILD ABUSERS; a PERMANENT record as a FELON: REQUIRED by LAW to be registered as an EGREGIOUS abuser of animals: FORCED to report to the law about their whereabouts, PUT ON A NATIONAL REGISTER OF ANIMAL ABUSERS, and serial inflictors of animal cruelty; FOREVER branded by society as practicing the SAME kind of sickness and serial offenders against children: Then FINALLY, this kind off horror WILL carry a PERMANENT penalty that will NOT be taken lightly.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:30 — carolina chapa (Visitor)
We should demand stricter punishments to be applied to these idiots that have no respect for living beings. Don't just give them a few years in prison, but give alot more and charge them all huge fines. Otherwise they go back and do it again.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:35 — Tamara L Scott (Visitor)
Try this with a kid; heck, try hitting a kid and the abusers get far worse. This moron gets almost nothing. Step it up for those that cannot defend themselves. Why are we in charge of the animals and not the abusers? Get with it, judge! Sentence them to the same abuse - what you do is what you get. Day after day after day after day...until you are dead. I'm okay with that. This abuse is the same as abusing anything or anyone that is helpless. Period.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:47 — DR (Visitor)
Big deal, 1-3 years. This teaches NOTHING to the cretins who perpetuate these heinous deeds. There is a special place in hell for these cowards.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:48 — Trudy Charette (Visitor)
Well, it's about time. I totally agree with everyone here that we need to protect these little helpless animals. There is difinetly to much cruelty going on not only for doggies but also for the kitties. NOT enough is being done to protect them. We need to wake up these heartless people. Yea!!! Way to go ASPCA

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:08 — cindy tobias (Visitor)
this is such great news! justice for them poor dogs! the only thing, the sentence should be longer , fine bigger and no animals ever!!! especially the no animals ever! but i am so happy and thrilled that he is being punished!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:10 — Pat (Visitor)
How about animal abusers are treated more harshly than a perpetrator would be for the same thing with a human?

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:12 — Chris (Visitor)
We have been working to get the Puppy Mills shut down in Ohio for the last 10 years and have made little progress. Ohio laws are not nearly severe enough for Puppy Mills or Dog Fighting or any animal fighting for that matter. Ex: Michael Vick should of never been able to make a come back and make the kind of money he is making. He got a second chance, but how about all the dogs he body slammed against a wall or all the dogs that died fighting, they never got a second chance. Until Ohio laws change things will not get much better.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:26 — tricia (Visitor)
Wish he got more....wish they all got more!!! : /

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:30 — David (Visitor)
I would rather they put the POS in the ring with FIFTY Pitties and let them tear him to shreds. The sentence should have at least been consecutive.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:35 — Carrie (Visitor)
The only thing this piece of crap deserves is a 44 Magnum enema for his treatment of these gorgeous loving dogs. Enough said!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:36 — Susan (Visitor)
Someone like this deserves to rot in prison. I'm just thankful for the wonderful people at ASPCA for bringing "people" like this to justice. I get so angry when I read about the length of prison time they serve. It should be longer, but at least its a start for hopefully harsher punishments down the road. Thank you again ASPCA for all you do!!!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:44 — crysmyra hopkins (Visitor)
If they rescued 50 dogs he should get a year per dog and god knly knows how many died for him. So if all that many years meant life for him GOOD

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:06 — brigitte (Visitor)
I agree with you 100%.. Thet need to make them stay for a lot longer

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 21:46 — Sheena (Visitor)
Why waste prison space? He'll re-offend so just hang him!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 22:07 — E (Visitor)
I'd rather these type of criminals should be made to perform community service. Make them help the cause by cleaning out a hoarder's house and property, or cleaning out rivers of trash, and roadsides where people dump trash and other public services that cost us money. Why should he sit in jail while work to pay for his food and shelter. Jail doesn't reform.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 22:11 — RENEE ABOS (Visitor)
GLAD TO SEE JUSTICE. IT'S A START. TJHIS KIND OF FILTH HAS GOT TO STOP.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 22:16 — M (Visitor)
this man is not served enough time, the punishment should be crueler for this creep & anyone else who does this to animals.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 22:50 — Linda Corbin (Visitor)
Not nearly enough time and he won't be supervised on parole because the system is over loaded w/ parolees and I don't think a dog fighter will be far up their food chain to watch.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:02 — Brigitte Boulton (Visitor)
The punishment for these people should be a lot harder. They only get a slap on the wrist. Start setting examples maby then it will get a little better... Not enough 3 years... more more more

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:33 — don a (Visitor)
this guy deserves a wayyyyyyyyyyyy harsher sentence...ass#@$%... I believe what goes around comes around...he'll have to answer to a higher power someday...lowlife jerk!!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:40 — paula (Visitor)
really not nearly enough the concurrent sentence sends a poor message that really your going to jail for the other charge (weapon) but while your there we will also let u do time for the dog fighting ring... Just disguisting and need to make stiffer penalties for animal abuse.. We declair war on everything else in america why not the war on dog fighters give them a serious consequence to send a message

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:50 — catherine (Visitor)
3 years is not enough time.He should no less than ten yrs.or more

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:51 — Monica (Visitor)
I am heartbroken,sickened, and mad at the way these people treat these helpless animals.I have been an animal advocate for years and will never stop.We are their voice.I saw footage where they put two pit bull puppies in a ring to fight and all they wanted to do was play. The sickos were not happy. None of these people should NEVER EVER be allowed to have any kind of pet. Because, a leopard never changes his spots.I agree with the comments that everyone wrote. Thank you to the Aspca and all the other groups for all your hard work.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:57 — christine (Visitor)
Thisb asshole should have to serve one year for each dog found. The punishment should fit the crime! It's not enough time.....too bad I am not a judge there. He would hae gotten that for sure! Then other people would think more than twice!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 00:18 — Mitchell Mumma (Visitor)
It's not enough. There should be a sentencing guidline for each animal involved individually rather than as a whole. 1 to 3 years, he won't serve but maybe a couple months. A small sacrifice for the monetary gains that he has undoubtedly accumulated. He'll just have a friend start it up again. I'd like to see a seizure of property and other assets as compensation / restitution for the costs incurred by the rescuers and the rehabilitators. Some REAL consequences for their acts.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:48 — Thomas Moran (Visitor)
I like what you wrote. And YES.....his sentence will be short lived, he will have his LIFE BACK.....unlike those dogs. Look at Michael Vick! Do you really think his life has been ruined? NOT!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 01:05 — tina (Visitor)
The sentence is not enough, but it is a start, and hopefully will set a precedence to all the other scum out there abusing defenseless animals to make money, that they will go to jail and it isn't worth it.

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