Santa Paula Man Pleads Guilty for 5 Charges in Dog Fighting Case

A Santa Paula man pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of failing to care for animals.

Silvano Duran, 28, was arrested in March in a police raid. Seventeen dogs were recovered during the bust, the dogs were covered in blood and had serious injuries.

A judge sentenced Duran to complete 30 days of a work release program and 36 months probation.

Duran must also pay restitution and he cannot own any animals while on probation.

One of the dogs was found to have been stolen. It was returned to its previous owner. The other 16 dogs will soon be up for adoption through Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center.

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center has been caring for the dogs since March. SPARC says the dogs will be neutered or spayed and then put up for adoption.

For more information on SPARC or how to adopt these dogs click here.