A Pennsylvania man who was charged with multiple felonies stemming from a domestic violence incident that nearly killed his then-girlfriend and killed her beloved dog has finally been sentenced.

In February 2022, Kevin Jara-Sanchez shot at his then-girlfriend multiple times, missing her but killing her dog. After unloading his gun, he beat her to near death and raped her. She was, fortunately, able to get help and reported what happened, but sustained eight broken ribs, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, a broken wrist, and bruises from head to toe, and required a blood transfusion.

A search warrant uncovered evidence of multiple bullet holes throughout the house and the charred remains of his victim’s beloved dog were found in a wood-burning stove in the backyard.

He was charged with criminal attempted homicide, felony sexual assault, four counts of aggravated assault, felony strangulation, felony possession of a firearm, and felony animal cruelty.

In January, he was sentenced to serve consecutive sentences for all charges that culminate in a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 57 years incarceration in a state correctional facility, with credit for 327 days for his protection from abuse order charge based on his incarceration from February 12, 2022, to the sentencing date. 

We sent a letter to District Attorney Albert C. Ondrey with more than 16,000 In Defense of Animals supporters’ signatures encouraging the prosecution and maximum sentencing in this case and we are grateful it has finally been resolved.

To find out more about how to help get justice for animal victims of cruelty, visit our Justice for Animals campaign.