Riverside Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Severely Injuring Puppy, Then Posting Video of the Wounded Animal on Social Media

          LOS ANGELES – A Riverside man was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for inflicting severe injuries on a puppy – including slitting its throat – then posting videos of the suffering animal on his social media accounts.

          Angel Ramos-Corrales, 19, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter. Ramos-Corrales pleaded guilty on June 3 to one felony count of animal crushing.

          On February 13, Ramos-Corrales assaulted his pet dog, whom he named “Canelo,” inflicting severe injuries to the puppy’s head and torso, causing skull and rib fractures. The dog’s injuries caused it to continuously fall headfirst, and Ramos-Corrales recorded a video of the injured puppy and posted it on his Instagram account.

          On the same day, Ramos-Corrales slit Canelo’s throat by approximately 4.4 centimeters (1.7 inches), causing the dog to bleed significantly and lapse into unconsciousness. While Canelo was lying on a bathroom floor, Ramos-Corrales recorded a video of the puppy and posted it on his Snapchat account, according to the plea agreement. On the video, Ramos-Corrales makes a series of statements, including “I’m cold-hearted,” and then intentionally kicks the still-alive Canelo.

          After law enforcement arrived at Ramos-Corrales’ residence, Riverside County Department of Animal Services took custody of Canelo and a veterinarian determined that the dog was still alive, but later euthanized Canelo because of the severity of the dog’s injuries.

          “[Ramos-Corrales’] offense of conviction was a gruesome act of violence, which he committed with wanton disregard of the life of his puppy, Canelo,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum. “By the very nature and circumstances of [Ramos-Corrales’] violent offense, he has shown himself to be capable of ‘cold-hearted’ cruelty, as he himself admitted.”

          The FBI investigated this matter and received substantial assistance from the Riverside Police Department. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office received the initial referral from the Riverside Police Department, and, after reviewing the matter and conferring with the United States Attorney’s Office, a decision was made that federal prosecutors would file the case.

          Assistant United States Attorney Julius J. Nam of the Riverside Branch Office prosecuted this case.