Man Sentenced to 2-Plus Years for Domestic Violence, Stealing Kids' Dogs

LONG BEACH, CA - A 43-year-old Long Beach man was ordered to serve 2 1/2 years in jail for violence against his ex-wife and stealing his children's dog, a prosecutor said Mondy.

Ignacio Ramirez violated both a civil restraining order and a criminal protective order in August.

"The defendant has a history of violence against his wife and disregarding court orders issued to protect her," Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert said. "The only way to protect the victim and the public is to sentence the defendant to jail."

In one incident, Ramirez was caught on a neighbor's security camera circling his ex-wife's house for nearly two hours while she was inside, according to the prosecutor. At other times, he climbed over a back fence that his ex-wife installed to protect her from Ramirez.

On another date, Ramirez drove into the alley behind her house, broke in and stole their children's Newfoundland dog, Rocky. The pup was eventually returned unharmed.

Ramirez, who was sentenced Friday, also harassed his ex-wife by canceling her utilities and health insurance, Haubert said.

-City News Service, photo via Shutterstock