After surveillance video filmed the incident in downtown Los Angeles, the man was charged with allegedly beating a dog on a metal chain.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Donald Jeffs, who was charged with felony animal cruelty on April 21.
On March 18, surveillance cameras inside the downtown LA apartment building captured Jefes carrying the dog Rusty in a collar and whipping it several times with a metal chain.
The video was first posted on social media and was shared by many users.
Jefes was arrested and pleaded not guilty during his arrest on April 18th. He was released on electronic surveillance until he appeared in the next court on May 1, and was ordered not to have animals under his custody.
“In this case, the alleged abuse filmed on video is not merely a grief. It’s a crime,” said LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “In Los Angeles County, animal cruelty is treated as a serious crime prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our message is simple: abuse of animals faces real consequences.”
If convicted of being indicted, Jefes faces up to three years in state prison. Details about the suspect’s dog’s location, American micro bully Rusty has not been released.
The case has been indicted by Assistant Prosecutor Michael Belcher and was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
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