News Releases

If convicted as charged, Donald Jeffes, 40, faces up to three years in state prison

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that a 40-year-old man has been charged with felony animal cruelty for allegedly beating his American Micro Bully with a metal chain leash in a Downtown Los Angeles apartment building.

“The alleged abuse captured on videos in this case is not just deplorable — it’s criminal,” District Attorney Hochman said. “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.”

Donald Jeffes (dob 10/19/84) of Los Angeles is charged in case 25CJCF01981 with one felony count of cruelty to an animal.

Jeffes pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on April 18. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 1 in Department 31 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The People requested home confinement, but the Court released him on electronic monitoring pending his next court appearance. Jeffes was ordered not to have any animals under his custody and control and to stay away from the reporting party.

On March 18, at about 1:15 p.m., the defendant was allegedly captured on videos abusing his dog, Rusty, including carrying him by his collar and repeatedly whipping him with a metal chain leash.

If convicted as charged, Jeffes faces a maximum of three years in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Belcher of LADA’s Central Trials 13, a designee of Target Crimes Division/Animal Cruelty Section, and was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.