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Trying to drown 3 puppies in the Eno River |
Durham, NC Durham County |
July 18, 2006 |
(Photo courtesy of abc11tv) Rodeo, age 34
and Rojas, age 39, both of 4915 North Roxboro Rd, were arrested and accused
of attempting to drown 3 puppies in the Eno River.
One of the pups was pulled out of the water by police. The men told police they were trying to teach the puppies to swim. The 3 lab-mix pups survived.
Rojas and Rodeo are charged with 3 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. The Police contend the two men grabbed the puppies by their necks and flung them into the water.
Rodeo and Rojas were being held in the Durham County jail in lieu of $3000 bond. On 7/20/06 Rojas posted a $1000 secured bond and Rodeo posted a $400 cash bond and were released, pending a court date.
Update 8/14/06:
The National Humane Society is closely following the case against Juan Rodeo, 39 and Fidencio Rojas, 31, both of 4915 N Roxboro Road. Both are accused of throwing 3 Lab-mix puppies into the river on July 18th. They are scheduled for a court hearing in September. A city employee rescued the soaked puppies and they now live in a shelter.
Deputy Manager Peter Wood of The Humane Society of the United States in Washington
is urging District Attorney Mike Nifong to prosecute the case vigorously in
hopes of deterring animal abuse. In a letter to Nifong, Wood wrote:
"As you may know, animal cruelty is often a red flag for other types of abusive behavior”. "Study after study has shown that people who harm animals are at significant risk of becoming violent to people. In fact, a recent Northeastern University report found that animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans.
"For all these reasons, we feel that significant intervention is warranted in order to prevent future instances of abuse against both animal and human victims," Wood added. "Decisive prosecution [of the Eno River case] and sentencing that includes meaningful incarceration, psychological counseling and a prohibition on contact with animals would provide the kind of intervention that is needed. It would also send a message to the community that animal cruelty is indeed serious."
Nifong recently placed animal cruelty cases under a relatively new family-protection unit within his office, allowing for more effective prosecution.
Update 11/3/06:
Rodeo nd Rojas failed to show up for trial this week. Orders for their arrest have been issued and their bonds were raised to $50,000 each.
"We certainly hope they are not attempting to elude trial and responsibility for their actions", a frustrated Assistant District Attorney Jan Paul stated. "The $50,000 bonds reflect the seriousness of the alleged offenses", Paul added. "Cruelty to animals is a red flag for other types of violence and crimes against humans. Anyone who would be so cruel as to torment a defenseless animal, it certainly says something about their proclivities and character".
For a Class I misdemeanor, the most the penalty will be is 120 days in jail. NC State law does not permit more than 2 such sentences to be imposed back to back at the same time, thus 240 days is the maximum the perpetrators will be sentenced regardless of the number of animals involved.
NC law also allows cases to be prosecuted as a felony if a person maliciously tortures, mutilates, maims, cruelly beats, disfigures, poisons or kills any animal. Dog-fighting is a felony in NC.
Update 5/12/07:
Rodeo and Rojas have apparently left the country, thus leaving their animal cruelty case falling apart.
Update 7/4/07:
The DA's office has dismissed animal cruelty charges against Rodeo and Rojas. DA Jan Paul believes the 2 men have left the country and cannot be readily found. However, the case will be reinstated if the men are arrested later.
Reference:
WRAL
The News Observer
The Herald Sun
ABC11TV