Dog fighting case delayed

The 2008 dog fighting case against a Ramona resident was delayed June 28 and trial is set for Aug. 30 in El Cajon Superior Court.

Raul A. Leyva, 35, disputes the charges filed against him in 2008 and has waived his right to have a speedy trial. He is accused of one felony count that alleges he possessed a dog with the intent to use that dog for dog fighting and with a misdemeanor count of failure to obtain a kennel license.

Leyva’s attorney, Vikas Bajaj, said in an earlier interview the dog in question was one that Leyva did not own, but was keeping temporarily for someone else.Animal control officers from San Diego County raided Leyva’s home on Boundary Avenue on May 14, 2008, and seized 10 pit bull terriers.

Leyva’s attorney said his client has not engaged in dog fighting and Leyva was a dog lover.

The prosecution had filed other misdemeanor counts of failure to obtain a dog license, vaccination and mistreatment of animals, but those counts were dismissed in a preliminary hearing in 2009.

Leyva has pleaded not guilty and remains free on his own recognizance.