Dog dies from tick infestation, owner faces jail time

The imperial County District Attorney’s Office said jail time is the right thing for a woman convicted of letting her pet die a terrible death.

Deputy D.A. Laura Keenan said, “I have asked for the court to impose the lower term of 16 months or in the alternative if the court is inclined to grant probation to give the defendant three years of formal probation with 365 days of county jail.”

El Centro resident Josie Perdomo was found guilty by a jury in the death of Sergeant, her pet dog, who died of an infestation of thousands of ticks in august two years ago.

“There are multiple different punishments that the judge can impose. One would be a probationary sentence which would typically entail three years of formal probation. And the judge has the option of giving jail time concurrent with the probationary sentence,” Keenan said.

Marcelino Felician, member of a local animal rights group, said they’re outraged over this incident which they claim was completely preventable.

“I was mad. I was angry. My wife and I talked about it. And the group talked about it. And we said that’s not right. We have to be the voice of sergeant. That was the name of the dog,” Felician said.

The group has attended every hearing in the case.

“We are here to be the voice to the voiceless. If you’re going to have an animal, take care of that animal. It’s just like having a kid,” Felician said.

Sentencing was scheduled for Thursday but it was moved to December 6 th at 1:30 p.m.

“Jury found her guilty. It’s up to the judge, and hopefully the judge will give her the max,” Felician said.

Perdomo faces a possible sentence of either probation or county jail for up to three years.