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News Highlights:
- On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, Miso’s abuser, Netzer Villagomez, was found guilty via a plea of Class 5 Animal Cruelty (the highest level for animal cruelty in Arizona) due to the horrific nature of this case. Learn more about this horrific case of animal cruelty in 2019 here.
- As a part of the plea agreement, Villagomez was sentenced to the following: 120 days in jail; Three years supervised probation; 360 hours of community service; No contact w/ victims; A mental health assessment; Attend anger management counseling; Drug monitoring and counseling; An order to not own, possess, harbor, keep or maintain animals during the length of probation; and Restitution paid to AHS.
- This case marks the first Arizona Humane Society animal abuse case booked and sentenced as a Class 5 felony under HB2671 which went into effect on August 27, 2019.
- HB2671 strengthens Arizona’s animal cruelty laws to ensure that the punishment for the most heinous acts of animal cruelty now more appropriately fit the crime.
- Last year, AHS’ Animal Cruelty Investigators responded to 6,211 cases of suspected animal cruelty.
March 29, 2021
Project Active Duty Reunited Family and Their Beloved Dog After 15 Months Apart
Arizona Humane Society & Banfield Foundation bring medical care to San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation pets