Animal Legal Defense Fund's Notes

"Baby" Dies After Being Attacked With a Power Drill

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6:34pm Tuesday, Mar 18

(Plainville, CT) Arrested in January 2008, Severino Cruz and his brother Enrique Cruz face charges of animal cruelty for alleged neglect and malicious abuse. Reportedly in a rage upon hearing that a 3-year-old pitbull named Baby had bitten his nephew’s arm, Severino Cruz grabbed the dog by her chain, pushed her up against her cage and drilled a series of holes into her skull with a power drill. Baby was euthanized shortly thereafter. The act was discovered by Severino’s brother and nephew when they returned home from the hospital where the boy’s wound had been treated. Upon investigation, police additionally discovered a severely neglected puppy (Baby’s) on the premises – that puppy, which belonged to Enrique Cruz, was seized and put up for adoption. Enrique Cruz is charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty while Severino Cruz faces both misdemeanor and felony charges of animal cruelty.

Here are two news articles on the case:

Disturbing Case of Animal Cruelty


Animal Rights Activists Protest Before Court Appearance


TAKE ACTION!


Polite letters to the prosecutor and judge may be sent via the address below – encourage a meaningful sentence upon conviction to include a permanent criminal record, psychological counseling, and an order against future contact with animals for a significant period of time. Also request that any community service orders not be carried out at an animal shelter (it is ALDF’s position that convicted animal abusers have no place around a shelter’s rescued animals or its dedicated, often youthful, volunteers).

Stephen Preleski, Assistant State’s Attorney
New Britain Judicial District, GA No. 17
131 North Main Street
Bristol, CT 06010
860-585-8799 fax

The Honorable Joseph W. Doherty
Superior Court Judge
131 North Main Street
Bristol, CT 06010

Please refer to these case numbers:
Severino Cruz - #H17B-CR08-0036590-S
Enrique Cruz - #H17B-CR08-0036601-S

Sample letter below-feel free to copy

Dear Hon Doherty,  REF: Severino Cruz – H17B-CR08-0036590-S          Enrique Cruz-   H17B – CR08-0036601-S  I am writing with regard to the particularly barbaric case of 2 brothers who took it upon themselves to brutally attack a defenseless dog restrained by a chain with a power drill.These two people drilled into the skull of the conscious animal injuring it to the extent that it had to be euthanized shortly after. One can only imagine the suffering of this poor dog in its final moments.Anyone who can inflict such horrific injury and brutality on a living animal has to be extremely disturbed, sick and depraved. There is a proven link between cruelty to animals and abuse to humans which may suggest that these men –in the future could prove not only dangerous to animals but also to other people in the community. For these reasons I am requesting that you recommend the longest possible mandatory sentence, psychological counseling and an order against any future contact with animals Yours Faithfully,