Maximum Sentence And A Ban From Training For Man Who Repeatedly Beat Downed Horse

Published: May 10, 2022 at 10:49 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Maverick County, Texas – Multiple graded, stakes-winning trainer Rodolfo Sanchez is facing a felony animal cruelty charge and has been temporarily suspended by the Texas Racing Commission after a disturbing video was captured of him repeatedly beating a downed horse at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds in early April.

The minutes-long footage is difficult to watch. A horse is tethered to a tree and Sanchez can be seen repeatedly whipping the helpless animal even when he/she is down on the ground. Because of the length of the tether, the horse’s neck is stretched upward and he/she can be seen breathing heavily throughout the agonizing ordeal.

(Video below – discretion is advised)

As an animal advocacy organization, we are unfortunately accustomed to egregious acts of cruelty. The video footage of this beating is especially heinous because the cruelty is being carried out by a professional; someone entrusted to treat these majestic animals with the kindness and dignity they deserve.

According to the authorities in Val Verde County, Sanchez is believed to have an estimated 15-17 horses that remain in his care. Please add your name to the petition as we fight to have these animals removed from Sanchez’s care, in addition to the maximum sentence allowable by law for his animal cruelty charge(s). We will also be petitioning the Texas Racing Commission to permanently restrict Sanchez from training horses.

We the undersigned demand that Rodolfo Sanchez is held responsible for the unnecessary and cruel beating of this horse. We are petitioning for Sanchez to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for the charge(s) stemming from this incident, in addition to a ban on his ability to train and/or work with animals in the future. We also want the horses currently in his care to be removed.

(There are conflicting reports about the identity of the horse beaten in the video. Some sources state that the horse is named Guapa, while others state that it is a filly named Fool for It. All sources state that the horse was removed by county officials and that he (or she) is alive and receiving care)

Note: Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News: 

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Update 1/30/2024: A jury found Sanchez not guilty. Please email info@animalvictory.org if you would like more information. The great news is that the horse is VERY happy in her new location.

Update 1/27/2023: Animal Victory sent cover letter and petition to the judge. 

Update 1/26/2023: The arraignment was scheduled for January 24th. Animal Victory talked with the District Attorney’s office. A waiver was filed by the defendant, meaning the defendant’s attorney will show up in court and not the defendant. The next court date is March 30, 2023. Animal Victory has sent the petition to Honorable Robert Cadena. Once again the horse is VERY happy in her new location. When we get pictures we will add them to the petition.

Update 9/8/2022: A generous donor has worked to find a permanent sanctuary for the horse. She has paid for the horse’s care while he was housed in a safe undisclosed location and now the horse is in a wonderful sanctuary. More details to come. The horse is very happy! Sanchez never filed a motion to get the horse back.

Update 6/22/2022: Animal Victory sent 15,326 signatures to District Attorney Susan West on 6/22/2022.

Update 6/09/2022: Animal Victory has learned that the sheriff’s office was awarded custody of the horse on June 1; the horse is currently in the Waco area. Sanchez has until the 20th of this month to file a motion for the horse. The case will be handled in the Del Rio courts.

Update 5/20/2022: Animal Victory has sent 14,391 signatures to Chief Investigator Mike Fleming from the Texas Racing Commission, Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez, and Chief Wayne Bullard of Val Verde County Sheriff’s department.

Prior Signatures 17,248

Maximum Sentence And A Ban From Training For Man Who Repeatedly Beat Downed Horse

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Latest Signatures
34 Shana C. Jan 26, 2024
33 Janine V. Jan 25, 2024
32 Don K. Jan 24, 2024
31 Michelle K. Jan 24, 2024
30 Robin M. Jan 21, 2024
29 Faith J. Jan 20, 2024
28 Cindy T. Jan 18, 2024
27 Patricia H. The person taking all of these videos, why won't they help these animals Jan 06, 2024
26 Linda P. Jan 05, 2024
25 Adriana N. Jan 04, 2024
24 Anne B. Jan 04, 2024
23 Gail W. Jan 04, 2024
22 Gina G. Jan 04, 2024
21 Donna O. He should be beat while "Down" as well!! Abuse must be stopped and abusers punished!!! Dec 26, 2023
20 Micki M. Dec 25, 2023
19Anonymous Dec 22, 2023
18 hennie w. Dec 18, 2023
17 Barb M. Dec 07, 2023
16 Rachel M. Dec 06, 2023
15 Rosalinde K. Nov 30, 2023
14 Stephanie Kline M. Nov 30, 2023
13 Jacqueline M. Nov 25, 2023
12 Julie N. Nov 20, 2023
11 Amy O. Nov 16, 2023
10 Joan K. Cannot imagine a jury not convicting this sick abuser!!! Nov 10, 2023
9Anonymous Nov 10, 2023
8 GERALDINE S. Nov 09, 2023
7 Sherry M. Nov 01, 2023
6 Lisa M. Oct 31, 2023
5 Edith L. Oct 30, 2023
4 Sandra L. Oct 29, 2023
3 Maria H. Oct 27, 2023
2 Bassam I. GOD-willing, this heinous act will never happen again. Oct 25, 2023
1 Melinda F. Oct 21, 2023