Owner of Backyard Butchery Faces Criminal Charges

Two months after Mercy For Animals circulated shocking footage of a Los Angeles-area backyard-slaughter operation, the owner of the facility has plead guilty to felony animal cruelty. According to MFA, 26-year-old Roberto Celedon faces 90 days in jail and five years probation following the incident, along with a $4,000 fine, court-ordered animal-cruelty classes, and several other penalties. Celedon was arrested in April after local Animal Control officers raided his illegal operation in response to MFA’s allegations. As a result of that raid, authorities managed to rescue dozens of sick, injured, and neglected animals, who are currently recovering from the ordeal at the nearby Gentle Barn animal sanctuary.