Dog abuser sentenced to jail, counseling, probation

Convicted dog abuser Robert Brunette has been sentenced to a year in county jail and won’t be allowed to own any dogs for five years after that, after he was found guilty of nine counts of dog abuse last month.
Brunette, 46, of Boulder Creek, was found guilty on two felony charges of crimes against animals, four counts of confining animals illegally and three counts of permitting animals to go without care.
He has been in custody since the trial ended in early December.
“We are pleased that Superior Court Judge (Paul) Marigonda took this case seriously,” said Henry Brzezinski, general manager of Santa Cruz County Animal Services, in a statement. “Animal Services is most appreciative of the support and expertise that was given by District Attorney Bob Lee, Assistant District Attorney Steve Moore and the sheriff’s office.”
The investigation began in July 2008, when officers found more than 50 dogs on Brunette’s property on Deer Creek Road. Many of the flea-ridden dogs were malnourished and had health problems, and the place was littered with animal feces.
Animal services officials said Brunette was trying to produce a guard dog, mixing the Italian cane corso breed and other breeds.
Brunette was also sentenced to five years of searchable probation and mandatory counseling. He must pay restitution of nearly $150,000 to Santa Cruz County Animal Services for the cost of removing the dogs from his property, caring for them and finding them homes in the community.
Forty-two of the dogs were placed in new homes, and eight were euthanized. Another 15 puppies were born after the property was cleared, and of those, nine were adopted, Brzezinski said.