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

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 15:51 — bc (Visitor)
I worded that wrong he should be locked up until the day he days. The time they are making him serve isnt going to teach him anything he will probably continue misstreating animals after he does the time.

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 15:52 — BC (Visitor)
So what i was trying to say is he needs to be locked up until the day he dies.

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 20:59 — You Got It Said (Visitor)
I totally agree!!!

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 15:55 — Cara (Visitor)
Seriously?!? C'mon. Give him a life sentence, judge. Or 50 of them. Or 50, 2-year sentences. Something that might hurt him, he'll be out in 18 months. And he'll just start again. I hope if there's ever a real Hunger Games, this guy is the first from District 12. Then he might realize how the dogs felt. Then again, he's hardly human. Give him a basic sentence (Like 20 years), then add on for each dog he abused. It's an okay start, but we need more severe punishments. If anything, his business will be upped by this publicity, so keep him in jail for life, or maybe 50 years and then never able to have an animal again. Why should this person be allowed to have an animal again, ever? Mice have feelings. Parrots have feelings. Cats have feelings. Dogs have feelings. FISH have feelings! Clearly, this man doesn't.

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:12 — Mary Pamme Dronet (Visitor)
A bullet to the inhumane jerk would have been some justice; JUST wondering is the dude LEGAL to be in America? This is why some of us are "prejudise" Latino and Black (Michael Vick) are the worse for their races when caught harming animals. By the way WHO is not checking up on Vick owning dogs again?????

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 17:01 — Jan (Visitor)
What a measly slap on the wrist for this guy! He'll be out in a year and when parole is over he'll be abusing dogs again. Not good! How about making him pay for the dogs' care while they heal and also their board and care while they wait for adoption? Why should our overcrowded shelters be made to carry the load made worse by criminals like this creep? For many shelters overcrowding means euthanasia for more animals. So he not only killed his own dogs, he's killing future dogs by denying them the opportunity to be adopted! But more violence is not the answer; education is!

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 17:18 — Lynn Laviolette (Visitor)
I agree with many of the comment.and to think that these sentences will be served in currently is outrageous. One to three years is nowhere close to what he should have been sentenced to for over 50 dogs being fought in the home.

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 17:18 — Jeanne Bradbury (Visitor)
Until the punishment fits the crime, the mutants who fight dogs will not be deterred. A few years for running an organized dog fighting ring is a slap on the wrist!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SOCIETY when there's a stiffer sentence for illegally copying a video or a music track than for systematically torturing and killing animals?????????????????

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 17:58 — KC (Visitor)
Some people are so heartless!!! It hurts my heart to think of these innocent animals that feel physical & mental abuse just as we as humans! Dear Jesus please be with these cruel people & show them their wrong hateful behaviers!! Remind them that we are supposed to take care of these animals not abuse them!! My prayers are with these puppies.. Thank you ASPCA for helping give these puppies a voice!

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 18:01 — Chery F (Visitor)
Some say this is a start, but this is just a slap on the wrist. Other dog fighters are just sitting around laughing at the amount of time he will have to serve in jail. They are not scarred of serving 1-3 years in jail. Fine them big time, money to go to SPCA, sentence to start at 5 years. All this pain they cause needs to hurt them!

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 19:31 — Sheryl Kutsmeda (Visitor)
Certainly sentencing should be harsher but lets be hopeful that this person learns and understands what he was doing.I know and have seen some incredible programs where prisoners work and train dogs to make them ready for service work with people that have disabilities. Lets hope this is what comes out of it..I understand Michael Vick has done wonderful work now that he gets it..

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 20:38 — Anna (Visitor)
I think anyone that thinks they can hurt a animal should get the death sentence.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 11:44 — Hannah (Visitor)
I totally agree! I've been saying that for years!!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 09:02 — joann ilgenfritz (Visitor)
happy to hear he was sentenced but he will be out next week and he will definitely get other animals - this is nothing for these non-humans - dog fighting is their livelihood, their life and their jobs because they are too stupid to get a real job and earn money the right way - WE NEED STRONGER SENTENCES 3 years at least and all 3 served in a real prison, not club med and if they do it again 5 years and a fine. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 10:03 — Judy Morley (Visitor)
It is nowhere near enough. It is past time for much harsher sentences and ban them from owning animals for LIFE.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 10:29 — Sarah (Visitor)
Anyone participating in this kind of activity has no empathy for other living things. The people who torture cats or other small animals have nothing stopping them from moving on to human targets. If the compassion isn't there for an innocent pet, you can bet there wont be for a person who has wronged them. Anyone who is found guilty of animal cruelty should be subjected to therapy.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 10:56 — jeri (Visitor)
It is just a slap on the wrist.The consequences need to be harsher, and I agree, mandatory.Also, these people should never be allowed to have any dogs, cats or any animal for the rest of their lives.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 11:00 — Sherri (Visitor)
I guess I am tougher than most. I have such a strong passion for animals that it has almost become and obsession to protect the voices that can't be heard. When it comes to sentencing in this particular article I can appreciate what he got, but, had I have been a judge, and that many animals were involved I personally would have sentenced him to six months for each animal that was involved. That's 50 dogs he abused and the each one would get justice. As for him it sets a prime example to "NOT" abuse animals.

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 20:34 — I Gave Him 5 Ye... (Visitor)
I see your point but I would have given him 5 years for each dog he had locked up and abused. Evidently the judge does not have any animals. That's who they need to go before, a judge who loves animals and then I believe we would see tougher sentences. If I had been a judge when he got out he would not want to even see another animal.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 11:22 — Debra (Visitor)
Cruelty to any Animal is in-humane and our furry friends do not have a voice. It is our job to protect them from harm and from evil-doers. Our Pets give us unconditional Love.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 11:43 — Hannah (Visitor)
I brings joy to my heart knowing that all those animals are being taken care of! I also brings joy to my heart to know that the bastard who put those animals threw that is being sent to jail!!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 12:01 — Lisa Sears (Visitor)
Yes, he'll get out earlier than he should, but maybe he won't be allowed to have pets for the rest of his life. And prison time? Who knows what might happen to him in there? They hate pedophiles, maybe they hate animal torturers just as much.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 12:02 — Emily Burke (Visitor)
I really wish that the punishment was more fitting to the atrocious crimes that Sanchez committed. While I'm happy he is going to serve time in jail, I don't think he should EVER have the right to own an animal again. I have no sympathy for this man and cannot comprehend how a person could do these cruel acts. At one point will the courts begin to consider therapy and rehabilitation for these abusive monsters? Research has been available for YEARS showing that those who abuse animals have a higher probability of moving on to abuse other people. What are we waiting on??

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 12:26 — Susan Harris (Visitor)
HARD TIME!!! Are you kidding me-he is a murderer! Animals a supposed to be here on earth for us to love and care for not KILL!!! During his time he should be made to take photos of the injured and dead dogs from dog fighting. A person who kills an animal is as evil as a person who kills people! He deserves at least a 25-life sentence. Dogs can't speak for themselves-when he is released he will set up his operation elsewhere and we will have to find him and give him another slap on the hand!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 13:14 — Brian Masefield (Visitor)
This sentence is NOT enough, and is hardly a 'serious consequence'. He's serving these sentences concurrently. FIFTY dogs. He should get FIFTY YEARS - one for each dog. Period. I don't know why these sentences are so slight. This man has no moral code, and is (truly) a menace to society. I also hope any money 'raised' in his dog-fighting ring is given to the ASPCA who will now have to care for these abused animals.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 13:28 — Manel Dias (Visitor)
Imagine that this cruel individual has been given only 18 months. This is a joke. Such brutality done to an innocent animal without any conciousness this person is an evil. Such individuals are the ones who eventually will graduate to be human killers. Then mass murderers. These are Blood Thirsty individuals. Lock him up for the longest period and BAN him owning another animal from the rest of his life. He is a Coward & a Barbarian.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 14:19 — Blake (Visitor)
Im glad he was sectenced, but as everyone else said it is unlikely he will spend the whole time. I do hope however that this puts a end to his activites, otherwise it will be for nothing.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 16:35 — J Leigh (Visitor)
To lessen the degree of the punishemnt, the judge made the 3 sentences to be served concurrently, in other words, altogether. The sentences shoud have been CONSEQUETIVE, served one after the other. Be aware and spread the word that prison sentences for cruelty to animal (and children) MUST BE CONSEQUETIVE! NOT concurrent!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 17:40 — Not Enough Time (Visitor)
It is TRULY not enough time. He needed to be given a life sentence as far as I'm concerned. He should have been given 5 Years for every dog he had in captivity, and each one should have served seperately. All this man got was a slap on the wrist. He will do his time and come right back out and set up shop again. The laws need to be made strict enough so that these lowlifes will think twice before hoarding animals to make money. They are EVIL people and need to be locked away as if they had committed a crime against a person because more than likely they HAVE and WILL hurt a person because they have no sense of morals or principals. If they can hurt an animal then they will think nothing of hurting a person.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 17:47 — He Needs To Be... (Visitor)
He needs to be gang raped while in prison to show HIM how it feels to be used and not be able to have a say so in what happens to him. He needs to have pain inflicted on him and have to feel there is no way out for him but to live in pain and agony all the time he is locked up, since all they want to give him is what was it, 18 months? When he got through being turned out it would seem like 18 years to him. He might have a new way of looking at things when he got out.

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 14:33 — Maureen (Visitor)
Although I see your point, being gang raped will only increase his anger, people that like killing for sport have already had " pain inflicted " on them throughout their life, that is why ( 1 reason ) they abuse animals ( not to mention money) they are tapped out of emotion and cannot feel for animals much less people. They need to be educated, made to go to animal classes that TEACH (non violent) animals, and work in Animal Shelters cleaning up after animals, feeding them and giving them water and walking them, kinda like they do in some prisons aroung the country that have prisoners take on the resopnsibility of caring for animals that potentially would have been killed to go on to become animals that help disabled people, that along with some jail time should help.

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 20:27 — To Gangraped (Visitor)
I am having a hard time understanding why you seem to have a shred of sympathy for this lowlife who enjoys inflicting pain on innocent animals. You cannot educate a soulless degenerate who thrives on seeing blood and pain inflicted on precious animals who all they want in this life is to be loved. God did not put animals here for mankind to abuse. He needs to be just as helpless as those dogs are or were that he has kept in deplorable conditions and subjected to the worst pain they can imagine. People like him are beyond the nice "education" you are trying to give to people like this man. They ALL need to be locked away and never to be among civilized people all the days of their lives! If they will hurt and abuse animals then they WILL hurt and abuse people as well. They have no hearts, morals, or principals, and definitely not a conscience!!!

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 23:36 — Donna (Visitor)
These dogs are being torn apart every day, to hell with what ever pain the abuser gets. If they didn't do the crime then they would not be in prison to start with.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 18:50 — TROY St. JOHN ... (Visitor)
He'll be out in 8 to 10 months, after he gets a third off, for good behavior. These crimes should be felonies, not misdemeanors.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 20:14 — Gina (Visitor)
Time to be served concurrently eh?? & so what does that mean?? 1 yr served & 3 out?? Seriously not enough no matter. There needs to be a HARSH message that dog fighting WON"T be tolerated!!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 22:23 — Rowann Gilman (Visitor)
This is nowhere near an adequate sentence. What is wrong with the judges who determine these numbers? Aren't any of them dog owners? These dogs are being torn to shreds, dying in the most abhorrently cruel, violent ways imaginable, damaged beyond repair if they somehow survive. Good, sweet, gentle dogs used as bait. What do you do to a human who does these things to another human? It sure as hell isn't a couple of years in a luxury jail suite. This guy will be out--and when he is, he will go right back to where he came from: the pit.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 22:34 — Lisa (Visitor)
1 year isn't enough!!!! Start out at 10 and see how quickly these people stop fighting dogs!!! They should also be banned for LIFE from ever having possession of any animals!

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 00:20 — Nancy B (Visitor)
This is very good news. Though I feel his punishment should be consecutive, 1 right after the other, NOT CONCURRENT AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No time off for good behaviour... Thanks = ))

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 08:15 — Sondra (Visitor)
Any one convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting of any kind should not only have to do jail time, but should never be allowed to own an animal of any kind. Ever!

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 12:09 — Lizabeth Rice (Visitor)
I agree with every once comment about he will get out early. I am glad he was sent to jail but I don't think is enough punishment. People like dont see the harm there cosin and they need to learn you don't treat animals that way.

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 13:05 — Elisha (Visitor)
You guys have no lives. They're just animals, I don't even know why you're going all crazy over a man getting sentenced, let alone the dogs getting forced to fight, blah blah blah. They won't become extinct anyways, as they breed like gupies

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 16:34 — Pamela (Visitor)
Your comment is unbelievable!! You should be subjected to the conditions these animals were in and then lets see how you feel. This animals are defendless - like children. You obliviously have neither or you could not make such a comment. Therefore, I can only assume you are an abusers too.

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 20:41 — Man Eating Bicu... (Visitor)
Evidently you don't have a worthwhile life either. You must not have any children or anybody to love. Your life seems to be on the same path as the people who misuse and abuse an animal. And that is so sad.

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 13:59 — Dog Lover (Visitor)
Punishment for abusing dogs should be just a harsh as child abuse. Its a sad world we live in. 3 years?! Seriously. Wow

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 14:07 — Debra Wilks (Visitor)
1-3 years is not much when you consider they rescued over 50 dogs. I think 1-3 years per dog would be much more appropriate.

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 14:21 — Maureen (Visitor)
Still not enough time, I know that one day when the good LORD comes back, that all suffering will cease. that is the only faith I have in mankind because it seems that on a daily basis I can read, hear, or look online about someone abusing animals. I have a rescue, buddy is an australian sheppard, someone beat this dog severely, he has shown me his grateful personality and loyalty. he would never bark and now boy has he found his voice. I named him Buddy because I thought he needed a Buddy to love him and show him not all humans are cruel. I also rescued his girl Sweetie a Chow Chow and boy is she smart, I almost think she understands every word I say LOL. I love animals

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 16:25 — Pamela (Visitor)
I agree, the sentence was not enough. He needed to get sentenced for each dog he abused, not just the act of abusing them. 50 dogs should have been 50 years in jail and not served concurrently and without bail. This is the only way this abuse will ever stop!!!

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 16:54 — Jenifer Klatt (Visitor)
The sentence Mr. Sanchez received is heading in the right direction, but, unfortunatley, not Nearly severe enough given the nature of his crime. These anmials suffered and were abused for years, thereby being deprived of a life with a loving family that every dog deserves. I think he should have received 5 years with a minimum of at least half served before eligible for parole. And not only for the duration of his parole should he not be allowed to own an animal, but he should Never, again, be allowed to own so much as a parakeet. Why should he ever be trusted to protect and love a dog as every normal person does automatically, without having to be arrested and put in jail with low life criminals??? Everyone else has common sense and knows that animals need to be treated with tender loving care and not abused. In my opinion, the day he started abusing and fighting animals in the ring is the day he lost his rights to owning animals ever again. I would ask that the courts rethink his sentence, or at the very least, revoke animal ownership rights permanently.

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 22:17 — njinkc (Visitor)
I'm happy that prison time is being served but the sentences are way too short for the crime. I don't think the issue is being taken seriously enough with just a year or two in prison.

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 05:31 — Paul Wiekierak (Visitor)
Animal cruelty is a crime that goes unpunished. As I read the comments I thought with so many good souls to speak up why isn't the crime punished more stringently? Is something wrong with this picture?

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