California Woman Sought After Puppy Killed in Apparent Hit-and-Run
Police are seeking public assistance to identify a woman captured on surveillance footage intentionally running over a puppy with her van in Santa Ana.
Police in Santa Ana, California, are seeking information to identify a woman suspected of intentionally running over a puppy with her van, killing the animal. The incident was captured on surveillance footage by residents on W. Park Lane.
The video shows a woman driving a blue or green Honda Odyssey. According to the Santa Ana Police Department, the woman removed a nine-month-old, male, black-and-white pit bull mix puppy from the minivan. She then placed the puppy under the vehicle, put dog food near the driver's door, and slowly drove forward as the puppy approached the food. After the rear driver-side tire ran over the puppy, the woman paused on top of the animal for approximately 15 seconds before fleeing north on Lowell Street.
The puppy did not survive the incident. The woman's license plate and identity were not visible in the footage. Authorities stated that a resident initially reported a parked minivan and suspected animal abuse, prompting police and animal control to search for video evidence.
The Santa Ana Police Department is actively investigating and has released the surveillance footage to the public, requesting assistance in identifying the suspect and the vehicle. Information can be provided by contacting the department at (714) 245-8378.
The video of the incident has garnered significant attention online, with many users expressing outrage and support for the puppy. Reports indicate that approximately 10 million animals die annually from abuse or cruelty in the United States, with an estimated 250,000 falling victim to hoarding each year.