A former Pacific Beach man with schizophrenia who killed his dog was sentenced Feb. 26 to a suspended one year jail term with probation conditions while he lives with his parents in South Gate in Los Angeles County.
Some former neighbors of Jorge Ramos, 22, spoke to San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Groch about their concerns that he not return to the apartment complex where he lived in Pacific Beach. “The neighbors were horrified. The puppy cried out in pain for an hour,” said a woman named Janice. “Ramos did not show mercy on behalf of his puppy, and he should not be shown mercy to him.”
Deputy District Attorney Karra Reedy said a restraining order blocked Ramos from returning to the apartment complex and his belongings were moved out by someone else as he relocated to his parents’ home.
“This is a case the Pacific Beach community did care about as it happened in public,” said Reedy, showing the judge a stack of 25 to 30 letters written to her office.
The puppy, a pit bull named Luna, was killed with a rock and left in a dumpster on Oct. 20 in an alley near Oliver Avenue and Jewel Street. Ramos pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty. Ramos’ attorney, Danaly Barajas, told the judge he suffers from schizophrenia and hears voices. “Being off his medication led to this incident, this case,” she said.
Ramos is now enrolled in college while with his parents in Los Angeles County and is also working, said Barajas. “This is never going to happen again,” she said. She said he is seeing a psychiatrist regularly.
Groch ordered Ramos not to drink alcohol or possess it during his five year probation time. He was barred from possessing or owning any animals. “Not even a goldfish,” said Groch, who asked Ramos if his parents had pets.
“We don’t have any pets,” said Ramos.
Groch ordered Ramos to pay restitution to the county animal services department and he received credit for spending 68 days in jail.