A cruel man has been jailed for brutally poisoning two heroic rescue dogs. The killer, identified as Benjamín 'N', is the first person in Mexico to be convicted for animal abuse charges after being found guilty of murdering dogs Athos and Tango.
The canines, who worked for the Red Cross team in Querétaro, died after eating poisoned sausages that were thrown into their handler's garden. Benjamín 'N' initially spent just 20 days in custody, but a renewed campaign over 12 months later has seen him be locked up for 10-and-a-half years.
Sign up to our TeamDogs newsletter for your weekly dose of dog news, pictures and stories.
Athos the four-year-old border collie specialised in search and rescue missions after becoming certified by the International Organization of Search and Rescue Dogs, the Daily Star reports.
One of the bravest moments of his career was when he searcher for survivors after the earthquake in Mexico City on September 19, 2017.
Yorkshire terrier Tango worked as a therapy dog, supporting those suffering from shock, trauma and anxiety after a tragic event.
Both of their lives were tragically taken by Benjamín 'N' in Querétaro, Mexico, on June 13, 2021.
The State Attorney General's Office launched an investigation which resulted in just a 20-day jail sentence due to the intensity of threats Benjamín 'N' faced online.
Lawyer Mónica Huerta Muñoz took on the case of Athos and Tango, with the backing of the Cariño Animal association and other organisations.
Judge Alicia Basurto García explained that video evidence of the poisoning was supported by a neighbour of Benjamín 'N's who claimed the suspect revealed his evil plan so the dogs were no longer trained in the garden.
At the Criminal Hearing Chambers of the Superior Court of Justice on August 23, the Judge concluded that Benjamín 'N' committed three crimes of aggravated mistreatment of animals.
In addition to his 10-and-a-half years in prison, the defendant who is estimated to be in his 60s, was ordered to pay a fine of 151,464 pesos (£6,450) for the irreparable damage caused to society.
He was hit by a further fine of 2,145,479 pesos (£91,415) as compensation for the death of Athos, and 223,548 pesos (£9,500) as compensation for killing Tango.
The dog poisoner has also been billed for his victims' vet and funeral fees as well as psychological care of Armando Édgar Martínez Olguín, who was the caretaker of both rescue dogs.
A formal reading of the sentence will take place on August 30.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
