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

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 01:37 — Wendy Little (Visitor)
1-3 years for dog fighting is not a harsh enough sentence. How many dogs have been injured and killed (murdered) in this dog fighting ring? Why don't they get charged with and sentenced with assault and murder. the dogs are so innocent and so dependent on the humans, it makes the abuse all the more egregious.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 01:44 — Linda J (Visitor)
“Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 02:23 — DOROTHEA C WITHAM (Visitor)
There is no way that 3 years is even close to the amount of time he should of gotten. He should of gotten at least 5 years for every dog that they found with him. Laws definitely need to be a lot heavier then they are. The poor dogs are the ones that are suffering at this terrible guys hands. The dogs deserve to get proper justification.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 02:30 — Tammy (Visitor)
Maybe he can become a football player and become a hero like Vic and make millions and be worhipped like he is a hero and a nice person. That is one case that just makes me sick to my stomache.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 02:44 — Celia Holman (Visitor)
Did I read the sentence correctly? Does it say he can have animals after his parole is over? I hope I'm wrong because this man should never be allowed to be around animals ever again.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 02:53 — J.E Oswald (Visitor)
He should be banned altogether from even coming in the near to any animal,and I hope he meets up with a dog lover who scares the shit out of him he should be branded on the forhead this piece of trash.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 03:09 — Jennifer Donner (Visitor)
Okay, yeah to the ASPCA.for helping bust this sicko and yeah for the fact he was convicted. However, the fact that this psychopath "Raul" was only sentenced to two years (we all know he will probably be released much earlier due to overcrowding and lack of funding in our prisons), as well as the fact that he can own a dog after his parole, makes me SICK. How many innocent dogs do you think died horrific deaths at the merciless hands of Mr. Sanchez? And we give him a slap on the wrist? He will probably serve less time than Martha Stewart did . There is something very wrong with our judicial system...

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 03:43 — Sandra Zastrow (Visitor)
The Sanchez sentencing for running dog fighting was not nearly long enough. This slap on the wrist will not deter others.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 04:14 — sheckyb (Visitor)
It's gratifying to know this guy was convicted and will do time. It is a step in the right direction.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 05:39 — don (Visitor)
i can't believe that 3 years is all that this felon is sentenced to; c'mon man, after professional atheletes and other abusers have committed this horrendous abuse to dogs and/or other animals, it's time to send a message! cruelity animals is just as bad as an beating a fellow human being! send them to prison for a LONG time!!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 06:45 — Alicia Proffitt (Visitor)
We need more of these perpetrators to pay for such heinous crimes--go get 'em!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:01 — lisa hill (Visitor)
i live in south carolina where the dog fighting is a everyday thing. i would like the judge to teach the judges in the state of north and south carolina how it is done..thank you judge for helping and making a stand.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:38 — lisa (Visitor)
i also live in the state of nc and our judges here have't got a clue there has to be a harsher punishment. the judges from the north should come down here and teach our judges here a thing or two for punishement for all kinds of animal cruelty.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:16 — Suzie (Visitor)
Why don't they put him down like the dog he is?

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 20:47 — I Agree... (Visitor)
I totally agree with you. A death sentence WOULD be an appropiate way to go with all of them.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:20 — Eileen (Visitor)
I'm glad the judge cracked down on him but I wish the sentences were being served consecutively. He'll be out in 18 months and probably back at it again.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:44 — Darlene (Visitor)
NOT enough....look what happened to Michael Vick...he served very little time and then got out and went right back to making millions in the NFL.....they need to make sentences much stiffer. The dogs have to fight for their life why shouldnt the ppl that trained them to do that???

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:49 — I <3 my dogs (Visitor)
Laws need to be changed so people get in more trouble. In Indiana these trash balls shot 2 of there dogs for no good reason and cops said its legal wtf???? smh

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 08:18 — Lev (Visitor)
I recon that sentence for him is too light! Who has sid that a crime does not have a race?! Any crime does have the racial profile and lawinforcment people perfectly aware of that!!!!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 08:39 — Madeline S O'Keefe (Visitor)
I think he should have gotten the death penalty. We don't need people like that in the world. Hopefully he will get his in jail.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 08:51 — Judy Hanegan (Visitor)
YES!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:33 — lisa (Visitor)
this is just a slap on the wrist. there has and should be harsher punishment for animal cruelty, just like all of the other comments he'll be out before his time. it just isn't enough for all their suffering.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:33 — John (Visitor)
I think Mr.Sanchez should have to serve the whole three years in prison.He should never be alowed to own another pet for the rest of his life, and if he does aquire one he should be putback in jail.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:47 — Mimi Sardiña (Visitor)
They should put him on a ring with professional boxing people and fight him until he drops. Ten years with the criminals would be deserving to him.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:56 — Rhoda (Visitor)
That he only cannot have another dog during his parole is insane. He should be banned from ever having dogs and he should be put behind bars for much longer. He is a sub-human for getting his kicks from watching and encouraging violence. This man deserves to suffer as he has made dogs suffer and die.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:00 — Deb (Visitor)
The sentences should NOT be concurrent,, they should be consecutive.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:09 — Donna (Visitor)
Hi agree the sentencing is much too how many dogs die in dog fighting they should have pushed for murder and attempted murder they need to give a much harsher sentence. Whatever that should be for a person who was murdered or attempted murder they should get the same this sentencing it's a joke

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:11 — Fabiola García (Visitor)
Very glad to see that to see that justice is being served. All abuser of any kind should serve at least 5 yrs per case, and concerning this particular individual, should be closely monitor while taking care of any kind or animal. On top, it should be banned of having animals under his care, for life.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:13 — Jack Stuart (Visitor)
If we don't increase the jail time then this cruelty will still go on, it is like a slap on the hands to these haters of dogs. They are completely motionless, they have no feelings, it is a wonder they do not put their own children in the ring to fight to the death, they probably will one day. They will pay one way or the other, as God will judge them one day soon.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:15 — Margo (Visitor)
It's about time someone does something to these people that do this to these beautiful incennt dofies

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:20 — Carl French (Visitor)
Sentence was not long enough and should have been served consecutively not concurrently as the judge said. Punishment should have been more like 10 years and a lifetime ban on owning an animal which could be used for fighting. Not sure if cats can be used for that purpose and maybe they could be included as well.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:22 — Clara Halfin (Visitor)
This individual must undergo mandatory counseling on the unacceptability of cruelty...how damaging cruel acts are to one's self...how beneficial kindness to others is...and as part of parole, time spent working in the service of animal rescue!!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:23 — Justice For Abu... (Visitor)
Thank You ASPCA for all you do!!!!!! People like this needs to spend the rest of their life in a dark hole

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:28 — Janine Farina (Visitor)
Concurrently is a joke. Time to educate the judges.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:43 — Thomas (Visitor)
Really....how does the judge figure that is adequate time? Can SOMEBODY show him pictures/videos of what happens during these dog fights and THEN come up with a more APPROPRIATE sentence. WE need to look at this for what it is! MURDER! Nothing short of killing the innocent. Please to an end to this!

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 20:50 — The Judge Does't... (Visitor)
The problem is that the judge doesn't have animals or pets in his life. If he did I believe there would be tougher sentences for these murderers.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:55 — Sheila Richards (Visitor)
I very much agree that sentences for animal cruelty need to be harsher. I very much go for the concept of doing to the person what they perpertrated on the animal! Any person found guilty of animal cruelty should be banned for life from owning any animal.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:38 — Merry Blake (Visitor)
To all of you who think it's terrible to kill these dogs: Did you eat meat today? Where do you think that came from? Some animal lived a short life and had a cruel death just so you could have one meal. Why value a dog's life more than a cow or chicken?

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:41 — Corinne (Visitor)
So glad this guy is busted. The plenty should be stiffer

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:57 — shelly (Visitor)
I agree with everyone. 3 Years is a slap in the face the criminal justice system has to change. Social paths start out as hurting animals or killing them then they move onto people, who's to say that these "dog fighters" aren't going to do the same. They both are harming or killing animals for a pleasure so why do we allow or tolerate the lesser crime for them? I believe that animal cruelty or neglect laws need a stiff 15 year sentence, because 3 years is nothing and they will continue their dog fights regardless! We need to tell our states to mandate stiffer sentences for dog fighters as well!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:13 — Grammahotshot (Visitor)
Why should they not have animals just for the duration of their parole? Seems to me that they have proven that they should NEVER have animals!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:26 — Patty McManus (Visitor)
This sentence is just a slap on the wrist. I wish animal abuse was a mandatory 5 yr minimum. And he will have pets again. Just like the lady in greenfield NY who was charged with animal cruelty/neglect and had all her horses taken from her. She was ordered not to have horses again. And sure enough it was on the news that she has horses on her property again. And still no shelter for them to be out if the elements! And probably no food and water again. So sad!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:32 — Emily Funke (Visitor)
Somehow, we all have to band together and get a petition going that renders harsher sentencing for animal abusers, both mandatory , no time lessened for good behavior in prison and a hefty fine . Make any kind of animal abuse a felony.It has to be enough to make such an impact that is causes the perpetrators to think long and hard whether they wants to risk the chance of serious punishment. It will make them think twice.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:52 — Joanne (Visitor)
I agree, it's not long enough but a start!! Animals rock!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:53 — Tami Drake (Visitor)
Yaaaaaaayyyyy! I, too, hope that this serves as a warning to other's who are or are thinking of fighting their dogs! They depend on us for care, are loyal (sometimes, like in this case, to a fault) and don't deserve to be treated like this anymore than we do! Thank God for a Judge who takes this seriously!!!!!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:53 — rinaldo (Visitor)
That asshole SANCHES should be put to death

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 12:54 — Vickie (Visitor)
He didn't get nearly enough time. Child abusers get more why not animal abusers!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:28 — C. Roth (Visitor)
So now that the dogs, the "evidence" for the court is done. What will happen to the dogs? Rehab? a chance for adoption? or are you going to euthanize like other cities do?

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:33 — Samantha (Visitor)
Me loving animals to hear this it breaks my heart.if I where the judge I would send him to jail for life.i would also do the same thing he did to those dogs put through hell

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 14:26 — Debby Marschman (Visitor)
I like the idea of years served per animal harmed!!! If it were up to me, I'd throw away the key because you can't make people have remorse or care for animals.

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