Backyard breeder and animal abuser Lazaro Ruiz should face full punishment for his crimes of animal cruelty. First, because he deserves it, and second, so others like him understand that their crimes against animals are not treated lightly. It's time the laws put in place to protect animals were fully enforced.

Attention was brought to Lazaro's abuse by Huntley Wood's October 26th petition to have him arrested. Thankfully, he was arrested November 18th. Under Florida Law, he can be charged for each dog he abused, and there were several. He cut the puppies ears back, some to the very base, as if cutting them at all isn't cruel enough. He posted videos of dogs being abused and trained for fighting.

According to authorities, Ruiz breeds pit bulls and Dobermans to fight or to sell. Breeding dogs for fighting is itself a 3rd degree felony according to The Animal Fighting Act, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, as is training to fight.

Please communicate to the Florida community in the strongest possible terms that acts of animal abuse will not be tolerated. Charge Lazaro Ruiz with the maximum penalties for the crimes he committed, for each and every animal he abused.