We salute the conviction and sentencing of Carlos Perez, who was charged with animal cruelty and domestic violence after his atrocious behavior toward his then-girlfriend and her helpless feline companion.  

On June 10, 2024, Perez was sentenced to five years in prison for aggravated domestic assault, and terrorizing, and an additional three years in prison for animal cruelty. 

On September 3, 2023, police were called to a woman's home in Fargo, North Dakota after her boyfriend Carlos Perez got extremely angry that she was late getting home from work, which escalated into a physical assault and the torture and killing of her beloved kitten. 

Perez was arrested and charged with felony counts of aggravated assault, terrorizing, aggravated cruelty, two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence, and one misdemeanor interference with an emergency call. He faced a total of $46,500 in fines and 33 years in prison.

In Defense of Animals wrote to State Attorney Kimberlee J. Hegvik, presenting her with a letter signed by 14,202 concerned members of the public seeking the maximum sentencing of Perez and mandated mental health evaluation and treatment.

Punishing abusers may or may not deter their violent nature but justice must be served for their victims. Animal abusers pose a high risk of violence to all of society, and the root is mental instability. Our mental health system must become embedded with our justice and penal systems to protect the public. 

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