News Releases

If convicted as charged, Alexander Cueva, 28, faces up to four years in state prison

LONG BEACH, CA — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today a felony animal cruelty charge against a man seen on surveillance video viciously abusing his young dog in Long Beach — a disturbing act that marks the second felony animal cruelty case captured on camera filed by the Office this week.

“To see this level of calculated violence inflicted on a helpless animal is deeply troubling,” District Attorney Hochman said. “This is the second felony animal cruelty case we’ve filed this week, and we will not hesitate to bring charges when we see this kind of inexcusable criminal behavior.”

Alexander Cueva (dob 2/2/97) of Westminster is charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25LBCF00671. He faces a special allegation of personal use of a deadly and dangerous weapon, a leash. Arraignment for Cueva is scheduled for April 25 in Department 1 of the Long Beach Courthouse. His bail was set at $120,000.  

On April 21 at about 5:50 a.m., Cueva is captured on video hoisting his 6- to 8-month-old German Shepherd mix, Inara, by the neck with a leash, slamming her to the pavement, and kicking her in the face while she lay motionless. He then suspended the dog again and rode away on a skateboard, dragging her out of frame.

If convicted as charged, Cueva faces up to four years in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kelly Fritz of LADA’s Long Beach Branch, a designee of Target Crimes Division/Animal Cruelty Section, and was investigated by the Long Beach Police Department.

“I want to commend my legal team — particularly Deputy District Attorney and Animal Cruelty Coordinator Kimberly Abourezk and Deputy District Attorney Kelly Fritz — for their unwavering commitment to protecting the voiceless,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Their work sends a powerful message that animal cruelty will not be ignored or excused in this county.”

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

See our news release on the Donald Jeffes animal cruelty case here.