Roberto Celedon, a Canyon Country resident was arrested on Labor Day weekend on suspicion of animal cruelty. Known as the “Backyard Butcher,” Celedon was arrested August 30 when Sheriff’s deputies were tipped off.
This isn’t the first time Celedon was arrested for animal cruelty, either. In 2012, he was convicted of felony charges for illegally butchering animals at his home, earning him the moniker “The Backyard Butcher.”
He pleaded guilty in the case to felony animal cruelty charges as well as to the misdemeanor charge of operating a meat-packing plant without a license. His sentence included 90 days in jail and he was forbidden to possess animals for slaughter, operate a meat-packing plant or to attend any auctions in which animals were sold. He was also forbidden to sell any meat products.
This time around, Celedon was booked on felony animal cruelty charges as well as violating probation, since animals were found at his home. In all, over 50 animals were taken from his home and more than two-dozen were rescued by The Gentle Barn, a non-profit organization that helps rehabilitate farm animals.
Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Deputies were shocked to find that many of the animals located on the premises appeared abused and starved. Animal control officials were quoted to have said that the condition of the animals was “some of the worst they had ever seen.”
At the moment, Celedon remains in police custody and his being held without bail.
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