Couple Who Severed Dog's Leg Sentenced

Update
January 12, 2012: Alberto Castenada and Maria Banuelos were sentenced on January 11, 2012. Castenada was ordered to serve one year of jail time and Banuelos received five days of jail time with credit for time served – both received three year probation arrangements. More meaningful is the happy ending that has played out for Onyx, the victim dog.

October 26, 2011: Having pled no contest to felony and misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, Alberto Castenada and Maria Banuelos are currently scheduled to be sentenced on January 10, 2012. Onyx continues to recover from his harrowing ordeal.

(Kern County, CA) Discovered by animal control agents on the evening of August 31, 2011, the mutilated black lab mix named "Onyx" remains in guarded condition after extensive amputation surgery. Alberto Castenada and Maria Banuelos have been charged with felony animal cruelty for allegedly severing the dog's leg - reportedly as a "home treatment" after the dog was hit by a car - and allowing the gross injury to go untreated.

Particular thanks go to Kern County Animal Control and Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation – their cooperative efforts in the face of such an immediate need are to be commended.

Kern County Superior Court
Arvin/Lamont Branch
12022 Main Street
Lamont, CA 93241
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/courts/crim_index_case_info_cal.asp
Case #s: 
LF008820A - Alberto Castenada
LF008820B - Maria Alamillo Banuelos