LANCASTER – A 46-year-old Lancaster woman pleaded no contest to Felony Animal Cruelty charges following an incident in July that resulted in her cocker spaniel being dragged behind her pickup truck for more than 2 miles.
Cecillia Bojorquez of Lancaster, was sentenced September 26th in Lancaster Superior Court to three years formal probation and ordered to attend animal cruelty classes in connection with the incident, which occurred on July 28, 2011 at about 9:45 a.m. in Lancaster, according to a news release from Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control.
According to the release, off-duty Animal Control Officer Derek Ames was driving on 45th Street West near Avenue I when he spotted a purple Dodge pickup truck in front of him with a tan Cocker Spaniel inside the bed of the truck. Ames saw the dog jump and noticed it had a rope tied to its neck as it was being dragged along the asphalt at more than 50 mph.
Ames attempted to catch up to the truck, honking his horn and flashing his lights in an effort to get the driver’s attention. The truck finally pulled over and Ames told the driver, Cecillia Bojorquez, that he had called for help and instructed her not to move the vehicle. Ames reported the small dog, a 3 year-old female Cocker Spaniel named “Marley” appeared to be in shock, clearly suffering from severe injuries to its paws, legs and belly.
Ames reported Bojorquez became visibly nervous, placed the dog back into the bed of the pickup truck and drove away. Ames followed the truck at a distance, periodically updating his location to his supervisor and the Lancaster Sheriff’s Department.
Bojorquez eventually stopped at Ave I and Challenger Way, where she was met by animal control officers and deputies from the Lancaster station. She was taken into custody and the dog was transported by an animal control officer to High Desert Animal Care Hospital in Palmdale.
“The dog’s injuries were so severe, the emergency hospital humanely euthanized her shortly after we presented her,” said Marcia Mayeda, Director for the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. “The responding officers said they had not seen a more agonizing animal cruelty and neglect case in recent memory.”
Cecillia Bojorquez was sentenced to three years formal probation, 2 days (time served) in county jail, 45 days of community service, and animal cruelty classes. Bojorquez was also ordered to pay fines and court costs totaling $300.00.
James Stouvenel says
very sick women, i hope she gets the help she needs, i know that animal didnt, People need to be more kind to animals, and while im not an animal rights activist, i dont think being mean to animals is the way to go, sad this happened to this dog. very sad indeed