A man charged with slamming his puppy to the ground by her leash, kicking her as she lay motionless and then dragging her away in an attack captured on surveillance video in Long Beach pleaded not guilty today to a felony count of animal cruelty.
The charge against Alexander Cueva, 28, of Westminster, includes an allegation that he personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a leash, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Cueva could face up to four years in state prison if convicted as charged, prosecutors said.
He is due back in court in Long Beach May 7.
Cueva allegedly hoisted his 6- to 8-month-old German shepherd mix, Inara, by the neck with a leash early last Monday morning, slammed her to the pavement and kicked her in the face before suspending the dog again and riding away on a skateboard, dragging her out of frame, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The Long Beach Police Department said the attack — which was captured on surveillance footage that was shared widely on social media — occurred at 235 E. 12th St., near Anaheim Street.
Shortly before 8:30 p.m. April 22, detectives located Cueva in the 800 block of Pine Avenue and took him to the city jail, where he was booked on suspicion of felony intentional cruelty to an animal, according to police.
Cueva has remained behind bars since his arrest.
The dog was placed in the care of Long Beach Animal Care Services, which issued a statement Wednesday saying the animal “is currently energetic, bright and responsive.”
”She sustained some injuries consistent with suspected trauma, but is expected to heal with time and care,” according to the Animal Care Services agency. “She will be placed in a foster home for her recovery.”
The agency noted that there have been reports about possible scams being orchestrated through GoFundMe pages by people claiming to have the dog in their care. Animal Care officials said anyone who would like to donate can do so through the agency’s website at bit.ly/LBACSdonate.
In a statement announcing the felony case against Cueva, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, “To see this level of calculated violence inflicted on a helpless animal is deeply troubling.”