PUEBLO — A Pueblo man found guilty of animal fighting and animal cruelty was sentenced to six months in jail followed by six years probation. In addition to Jerry Grady's sentencing, he will have to pay $10,000 to the humane society.
Grady was among 5 people arrested in February 2019 as Pueblo Police and Animal Law Enforcement executed a search warrant on property along 1400 block of E. Beech St. as part of an investigation into animal cruelty.
Police found evidence of dog fighting along with 19 dogs on the property chained without access to water, severely injured, and scarred because of recent abuse.
Grady and Armando Vigil were arrested on charges of felony animal fighting, while 3 others were arrested for active warrants.
Grady and Vigil's arrests were a culmination of a more than year-long investigation conducted by ALE. The release said community members called ALE to report a large number of animals on the property. ALE visited the property multiple times and did not find enough evidence to charge Grady, so they asked PPD for help in January 2018.
The dogs received medical care at Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and later on, 13 of the 19 dogs were transferred to partner shelters to be adopted. The release said three of the dogs that showed no signs of abuse were returned to owners who were unaware of what took place on the property. The other three dogs were "humanely euthanized" because of aggressive behavior.
Grady was found guilty in June on three counts of animal fighting and four counts of animal cruelty.
Vigil missed his court hearing and is facing seven animal fighting charges and 13 animal cruelty charges. There is an active warrant out for his arrest.
