Doctor busted for animal cruelty charges, deputies say

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Dr. Raquel Marie Mercado-Sepulveda is facing animal cruelty charges after the Pima County Animal Care Center (PACC), Pima County Sheriff's Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) worked together.

Public Information Officer Deputy Keith A. Bee says it all started when the department first got a tip in 2022. Someone told deputies Dr. Mercado-Sepulveda was "performing unlicensed and illegal surgeries on dogs."

This led to them serving a search warrant at her residence and medical office. They then found 36 dogs and two cats, plus other evidence.

According to the University of Arizona's website, she is apparently affiliated as a Faculty Physician with the College of Medicine Tucson Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her letter of reprimand is dated on June 10, 2021, within the state of Arizona.

When looking at her educational background, Dr. Mercado-Sepulveda got the majority of her training at the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and graduated on June 2, 2007, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

She then served two different residencies:

1. New York Medical College, New York, N.Y.
   
   1. July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010
   2. Obstetrics and Gynecology
   3. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Approved
2. Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, N.Y.
   
   1. July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011
   2. Obstetrics and Gynecology
   3. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Approved

Most recently, deputies seized 14 more dogs and three rabbits at Dr. Mercado-Sepulveda's residence, along with extra evidence, on Wednesday and Thursday.