SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Dec. 7, 2022) — In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization, is appalled at the sentencing of Michael Ruperto Uriegas of Von Ormy, Texas, for beating his family’s tiny one-year-old dog to death. Uriegas was adjudicated and sentenced to a pathetic five years of probation, with no mental health evaluation, anger management, or any community service. 

On April 11, the Baxer County Sheriff’s Department served an arrest warrant for Uriegas of Snug Harbor, for cruelty to a non-livestock animal. The department’s investigation into allegations that Uriegas beat the family’s tiny dog Ruger to death for urinating on him when he pulled him from his crate. Uriegas was charged on April 12.

When questioned about Ruger’s death, Uriegas admitted that he “lost his cool” when little Ruger urinated on him, and he claimed to have thrown Ruger into his crate. Uriegas said he tried to resuscitate Rugar because he was “breathing funny.” However, a necropsy revealed Ruger died of blunt force trauma from multiple blows to his tiny body.

“The failure to convict Uriegas for this violent crime is unforgivable and leaves future animal and human domestic victims unprotected,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Senior Campaigner.

Stanley deals daily with cases of violence that often include abuse to family members. “Domestic violence and animal abuse are strongly linked. We must convict abusers to a measure of justice for the victims and take a step towards breaking ‘The Circle of Violence,’” she added.. “At the very least, an anger management class can prevent brutally heartless acts of violence against helpless victims of ill-tempered and reactive individuals.”

Texas Penal Code §42.092, Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, (b) (1) & (b) (2) is a third-degree felony for a first offense, and a second-degree felony for a second offense. A first offense carries a penalty of up to $10,000 and a minimum of two years of incarceration.

Over 17,000 In Defense of Animals supporters sent a letter to District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales seeking no plea deal and urging the judge for maximum sentencing in this violent and disturbing case. 

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters, and a 39-year history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi.

Contact: 

Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, In Defense of Animals (662) 809-4483

Images (free for use with credit per filename): https://bit.ly/RugerPix

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