Puppy kicked Odessa, TX (US) Date: Aug 18, 2004 County: Ector Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Ricardo Holguin

Case ID: 8503 Classification: Kicking/Stomping Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in TX (US) Login to Watch this Case

A man sentenced to 50 days in jail on an animal cruelty charge was granted work release in County Court-at-Law No. 2. Ricardo Daniel Holguin, 51, was arrested after kicking a dog while barbecuing at his home.

Prosecutors said they will not tolerate cruelty to animals, and Holguin's defense attorney said his client is a good person who made a mistake. Holguin pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, earlier in the week as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. On Aug. 18, 2004, Holguin, was having carne asada outside his home at an address on South Meadow when the smell attracted a neighbor's puppy. Holguin gave the dog a hard kick, and its owners called police. The small dog was unable to stand when officers arrived about 20 minutes later, prosecutors said.

The prosecuting attorneys wanted jail time because they take the offense seriously. Those who mistreat animals are likely to harm people as well, said Monica Perales-Garcia, a spokeswoman for the Webb County district attorney's office. "While most believe in a need to respect all living things, (some) enjoy the feeling of control that they have over a helpless being," she said.

But defense attorney John R. Solis said his client is a good person. "My client is a good guy," said defense attorney John R. Solis. "Sometimes people make mistakes."

Given the sentence range for a Class A misdemeanor, Holguin could have received a sentence greater than 50 days, Solis said. "However, he was guaranteed with the plea bargain a sentence of 50 days," he said. "Given the circumstances, we were happy with the outcome." While serving the sentence, Holguin will check out during business hours to perform his job before returning to jail at night. He has already begun serving the 50-day sentence.

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References

Laredo Morning Times - March 24, 2006

« TX State Animal Cruelty Map

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