Escondido Parolee Admits to Killing Mother's Dog

The San Diego Humane Society says Francisco Villegas will serve seven years in prison for killing his mother’s miniature poodle, Lex

An Escondido parolee will serve seven years in prison for killing his mother’s dog – possibly with an iron – the San Diego Humane Society confirmed Friday.

Humane Society officials said Francisco Villegas, 32, pleaded guilty on Aug. 18 to one count of felony animal cruelty for the death of his mom’s dog, a miniature poodle named Lex.

Earlier this year, the Escondido Police Department alerted officers from the San Diego Humane Society after Lex was found dead in Villegas’ mother’s home. Humane Society offers took over the investigation and determined the miniature poodle had died of blunt force trauma, possibly inflicted from an iron or similar object.

Villegas – on parole at the time of the dog’s death – was suspected of killing the pet, and later admitted to it, investigators said. He was booked into the George Bailey Detention Facility and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 7.

Steve MacKinnon, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement for San Diego Humane Society, says cases like this are taken very seriously by the organization.

“We’ll always prosecute to the fullest extent of the law when we find intentional acts of animal cruelty have occurred,” said MacKinnon. “When an animal is a victim of abuse, they are unable to speak for themselves, so it’s our duty to be the voice for the voiceless in situations like this one.”

Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society, says Humane Society officers respond to claims of animal cruelty and neglect seven days a week throughout the county.

Residents with animal-related concerns can contact the San Diego Humane Society at (619) 243-3466 or by visiting the organization’s website.
 

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