On Friday, the ASPCA announced via a press release that a Bronx, N.Y., man involved with a major dog-fighting operation, has pleaded guilty to charges associated with his role in the cruel sport.
According to the ASPCA, Raul Sanchez, 58, will be sentenced on Feb. 7; he faces one to three years in prison.
In addition, Sanchez will be ordered to pay restitution to the ASPCA for the expenses incurred while rescuing the dogs who were part of the dog-fighting operation. When and if Sanchez is sentenced to probation, he will be prohibited from owning animals during that time.
Finally, Sanchez may be deported to his native Cuba after the sentence is served.
Sanchez was charged with 63 counts, 13 of which were felony charges, of prohibition of animal fighting following his June 21, 2012 arrest.
On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to one count of each of the charges.
Matt Bershadker, senior vice president of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group, stated:
“Mr. Sanchez ran a sophisticated operation in which dogs were abused, exploited and forced to fight for entertainment and moneymaking purposes,”
“We are thankful to the NYPD for infiltrating this brutal operation, and to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its commitment to prosecuting this case and seeking justice for the animal victims, many of whom have now found new, loving homes.
This sends a clear message that perpetrators who engage in this horrific form of cruelty in New York City will be held accountable for their actions.”
In June, ASPCA officials assisted in rescuing 50 dogs from the dog-fighting operation which was housed in a six-story apartment building in the Bronx. Sanchez was the superintendent of the building where the dog-fighting took place.
The dogs at the complex were forced to live in crude cages which were kept in a corner room of a basement. Officials believe that the dogs were only allowed out of the cages for training or fighting.
The fighting arena for the cruel blood sport, along with fighting paraphernalia, was also located in the basement area.
The dogs rescued from the operation were transferred to a temporary shelter, where they were triaged by the ASPCA’s veterinary medical team and later evaluated individually by the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team.
Since the seizure, the ASPCA’s Field Investigations & Response team, and volunteers from various rescue groups, have cared for and provided the dogs with extensive socialization, a healthy diet, medical care and exercise.
In September, more than 30 dogs were transferred to several animal rescue groups throughout the Northeast, including the ASPCA Adoption Center in Manhattan.
Prior story on this case can be found at this link.
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