The month-long investigation started when Ventura Police Department Officer David Ruggiero, who had been assigned to the gang unit, found five photographs of the pit bull puppy getting its ears cropped on MySpace.com. More photographs were found by police during the execution of search warrants, including those showing the three defendants celebrating the ear cropping; one showed a gang member holding up his bloody hand and flashing a gang sign.
Clipping a dog’s ears with scissors in an environment that is not sterile or without anesthesia or aftercare is extremely painful and cruel to the animal. Although a veterinarian would charge about $300 to crop a dog’s ears, gang members allegedly like the ragged “tough” look of a homemade cropping, which in turn enhances the image of the gang.
Mendoza, who will be sentenced February 22, is facing six years in prison. Gaona will be sentenced on March 10 and could receive 16 months, a sentence that might be considered completed, as he has served his prison time.