A man has been charged with allegedly beating his dog with a metal chain after surveillance video captured the incident in downtown Los Angeles.
Donald Jeffes, 40, was charged with felony animal cruelty on April 21, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
On March 18, surveillance cameras inside a downtown L.A. apartment building captured Jeffes allegedly carrying his dog, Rusty, by the collar and whipping him several times with a metal chain.
The video was initially posted on social media where it was shared by many users.
Jefes was arrested and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on April 18. He was released on electronic monitoring pending his next court appearance on May 1 and was ordered not to have any animals under his custody.
“The alleged abuse captured on videos in this case is not just deplorable — it’s criminal,” said L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “In Los Angeles County, we treat animal cruelty as a serious offense that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our message is simple: If you abuse animals, you will face real consequences.”
If convicted as charged, Jeffes faces up to three years in state prison. Details on the whereabouts of the suspect’s dog, Rusty, an American Micro Bully, were not released.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Belcher and was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
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