Couple Pleads No Contest To Dog Fighting

LANCASTER (CBS) — A man and woman pleaded no contest Wednesday to dog fighting and an array of other charges related to pit bulls found at a Lake Los Angeles home.

Jesse Eduardo Jiminez, 44, pleaded no contest to 13 dog fighting counts, nine counts of animal cruelty, six counts of animal neglect, two counts of practicing veterinary medicine without a license, and one count of possession of cocaine.

Jiminez is expected to surrended Jan. 27 to begin serving a 365 day jail term. He must return to court at the end of that term to be sentenced on two more dog fighting counts and one animal cruelty count. At the time, the other 28 counts are expected to be dropped.

Along with the jail time, Jiminez is expected to be ordered to serve three years probation and undergo animal cruelty counseling.

Yvette Jiminez, Jesse's 42-year-old wife, pleaded no contest to two dog fighting counts and one count of animal cruelty. She was immediately sentenced to three years probation, ordered to complete animal cruelty counseling, and given credit for 410 days in custody.

The pair is barred from living with dogs or living with anyone who has dogs.

The couple was arrested March 2, when animal control officers seized more than a dozen pit bulls, including three puppies, from the Jiminez' home.

Officials say they also found a portable fighting ring, stained with what the believed to be blood, along with training materials and treadmill machines.

The investigation was spurred by an informant's call to the county's 24-hour dog fighting tip line.

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