In the city of Gualeguay, Province of Entre Ríos, the Trial and Appeals Court, presided over by Dr. Dardo Oscar Tortul, issued a sentence for animal abuse during a rodeo, in the case of Ricardo Ismael Torrilla, accused of violating Animal Protection Law No. 14,346.
The abbreviated trial, held on March 10, 2025, resulted in Torrilla being sentenced to two months of probation.
The Facts
The incident that led to Torrilla’s conviction occurred on December 18, 2022 during a rodeo at the Yaguarí Club in Gualeguay. According to the complaint filed by Ana Ardaiz de Rosenfeld, Torrilla, nicknamed “Maelo,” hit a horse lying on the ground, causing it pain. The horse, a short-tailed chestnut horse, had refused to participate in the competition, leading Torrilla to strike it with a blunt object.
The evidence presented in the trial included veterinary reports confirming the horse’s injuries, as well as videos that captured the moment of abuse. In addition, several eyewitnesses, including Romero Mariana Soledad and Pascual Romero, corroborated the acts of animal abuse during a rodeo and identified Torrilla as the aggressor.
The Trial for Animal Abuse in a Rodeo
During the abbreviated trial hearings, Torrilla admitted to the acts and his responsibility for them. Prosecutor Ana Paula Elal, along with plaintiffs Ana Ardaiz and Francisco Froy, and defense attorney Martín Bisso, actively participated in the process. The court verified compliance with all the formalities of the abbreviated trial, including the accused’s confession and the presentation of evidence.
Dr. Dardo Oscar Tortul, who presided over the hearings, explained in detail to Torrilla the scope of the abbreviated procedure and the consequences of his confession. Torrilla stated that he fully understood the terms of the agreement and accepted the conditions of the abbreviated trial.
The Sentence for Animal Abuse in a Rodeo
The court convicted Ricardo Ismael Torrilla for acts of cruelty against animals, sentencing him to two months of conditional imprisonment. Additionally, several conduct rules were imposed on him to be fulfilled for a period of two years. These rules include:
Residence requirement: Torrilla must maintain his current address and cannot change it without prior notice to the monitoring agency.
Awareness course: He must take a course on respect and proper treatment of animals, with minimum content including awareness of dignified treatment of animals, recognition that they are living beings that feel and deserve respect, and adoption of responsible practices.
Abstain from using drugs or abusing alcohol: Torrilla must avoid drug use and alcohol abuse during the period of conditional compliance.
Conclusion
The sentence reflects the commitment of the justice system in Entre Ríos to animal protection and the application of appropriate sanctions for those who commit acts of cruelty and animal abuse in a rodeo. The case of Ricardo Ismael Torrilla serves as a reminder of the importance of treating animals with respect and dignity, and the legal consequences that can arise from their mistreatment.
The court also emphasized the importance of the imposed conduct rules, especially the awareness course, as a preventive measure to avoid future acts of cruelty. The justice system hopes that these types of sanctions not only punish offenders, but also promote a change in behavior and greater awareness of animal welfare.
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