Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators announced Friday that a man was arrested on suspicion of killing a 15-year-old terrier mix in an industrial area of La Mirada last weekend
Shane Dubyak, 23, of Lakewood, CA, was taken into custody after leading authorities on a high-speech chase and foot pursuit from Artesia to Cerritos. A firearm was recovered. He was booked on felony animal cruelty, evading arrest and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
A man and woman arrested on unrelated charges Wednesday were initially suspected in the crime, but they were later released after authorities determined they were not involved.
Surveillance video showed a man exiting the rear passenger door of an older model white Jeep Grand Cherokee at 16450 Phoebe Avenue last Sunday at 12:45 P.M. and placing something on the ground by a gutter. A witness told deputies that the man then fired two shots into the then unidentified object, then jumped back into the car before a female accomplice drove them away. As of this report, the driver of the car has not been detained.
The witness, Alex Csonka, ran to the scene and found a dog lying in a bed, dead from gunshot wounds.
“I cannot believe someone would actually do that and not give [the dog] away to a shelter or put it down,” Csonka told NBC News. “And, also, if they’re willing to kill the dog . . . what were they willing to do to us?”
Csonka has cause for concern. Statistics on animal cruelty show that people who commit violent acts against animals are highly likely to harm people as well.
What motivated Dubyak to kill the dog is unknown as of this reporting. While euthanasia by “humane” shooting of mortally-wounded or terminally-ill animals is considered acceptable in certain countries or remote areas, it is generally prohibited where there is access to veterinary care.
Animal cruelty laws vary by state. Under California Penal Code 597, Dubyak and the unidentified female driver could face felony charges punishable by up to two years in prison and a $20,000 fine, even if the dog had serious health issues.
Detective Mark Christensen, who is investigating the case, was shaken by this event: “This one hit home, especially being the dog person that I am,” Christensen said. “There’s ways to properly handle old, sick, injured dogs — and this isn’t one of them.”
Anyone with additional information is urged to call detective Christiansen of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 562-466-5419 or email him at MSChrist@lasd.org. Anonymous tips can be called in at 800-222-8477.