The Gilroy man who allegedly killed his wife’s puppy by throwing it against a wall more than a year ago is to be sentenced this Friday.
In a brief moment in court on Monday morning, a handcuffed Bud Wally Ruiz, 54, sat calmly before Judge Edward Lee, wearing black-framed square glasses with his hair tightly pulled back in a ponytail that reached his mid-back, as his paperwork was presented to the judge. Lee set the sentencing date for later in the week.
After pleading guilty in July to two counts of felony animal cruelty and once count of misdemeanor battery, Ruiz faces 25 years to life in prison under California’s Three-Strikes Law because of past felony convictions, according to Troy Benson, the deputy district attorney who is prosecuting the case.
Ruiz has four prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon – two in Santa Clara County and two in Fresno County. Ruiz is also listed as a registered sex offender, according to the Megan’s Law website.
Benson said that Ruiz will likely be to ask the court to make an exception for him in the Three-Strikes Law by removing one of his prior strikes, which is known in court as “striking the strikes.”
Passed in 1994 by California voters, the Three-Strikes Law requires a minimum sentence of 25 years to life for three-time repeat offenders with multiple prior serious or violent felony convictions, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Ruiz killed his wife’s puppy, a Chihuahua named Teddy, in May 2011 by throwing it against a wall at her home during an argument in the 8800 block of Morey Way, according to the Gilroy Police Department.
In court on Monday, Leroy Moyer, director of Voices for Pets, a Bay Area animal rights group, came to advocate for Ruiz to receive life in prison.
“Bud Ruiz is exactly the type of person that voters were thinking of when they made the Three-Strikes Law. He has proven that he cannot control his violence,” Moyer said.
Ruiz’ sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill.
Check back for updates on this story Friday.
