News Releases

The cases are being prosecuted by deputy district attorneys designated by LADA’s Target Crimes Division, Animal Cruelty Section

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that his office has filed 25 animal cruelty cases — including 18 felonies — over the past six weeks, underscoring his commitment to holding abusers accountable and protecting our most vulnerable.

In one case, a man allegedly dropped a bulldog named Adriana on her head, kicked her, then threw her into a stack of tires, where she was left to die. Subsequent veterinary testing revealed the bulldog had illegal drugs in her system, further heightening the severity of the abuse.

“Let me be clear: If you harm an animal in our community, we are watching you — and we will find you,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Animal cruelty is a serious crime. It’s also a red flag for possible future violence and we treat it exactly as it should be treated — with zero tolerance and aggressive prosecution.”

The cases were brought thanks to the hard work and vigilance of many law enforcement and animal control agencies, the public, and the District Attorney’s Target Crimes Division, Animal Cruelty Section.

“I want to personally thank Deputy District Attorney and Animal Cruelty Coordinator Kimberly Abourezk and our outstanding legal team for their unwavering dedication,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Their work reinforces that our office stands firmly between abusers and the animals they harm.”

“Our Department is working closely with Los Angeles County Animal Control, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and community partners to ensure all cases of animal cruelty are fully investigated and prosecuted,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. “We will not tolerate the abuse of defenseless animals and if you witness or suspect cruelty, report it to local law enforcement immediately.”

Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said:

“The LAPD consistently pursues animal cruelty cases with integrity and intensity, many of which do not receive media attention. 

“Despite the loss of our Animal Cruelty Task Force in early 2021, we take animal cruelty investigations seriously, and we investigate these cases in a manner that lead to the successful arrests and prosecutions of the alleged suspects. We continue to provide training to our personnel in understanding the complexity of such investigations to ensure successful District and City Attorney filings.”

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish added: “This type of cruelty has no place in our community. I want to thank our detectives and officers for their outstanding work in swiftly identifying and apprehending the suspect. We remain committed to ensuring those who harm others — especially the most vulnerable — are held accountable. We recognize the deep concern the [Alexander Cueva] incident caused throughout our Long Beach community and appreciate the public’s assistance in sharing critical information.”

The felony cases include:

• Esteban Garcia (dob 3/31/97) was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25DWCF00390. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on April 16. Garcia’s early disposition hearing is set for June 11 in Department J of the Norwalk Courthouse. Investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Century Station.
• On April 7, Garcia is allegedly captured on video surveillance carrying a 5 1/2-year-old bulldog, later named Adriana, in an alley behind the 2000 block of East 78th St. in Los Angeles and purposefully dropping her on her head before kicking her, then throwing her into a stack of tires where she was left to die. Later testing showed Adriana had illegal drugs in her system. If convicted as charged, Garcia faces up to three years in county jail.

• Animal cruelty often emerges as an extension of domestic violence:
  Joseph Melnyk (dob 12/20/74) was charged with two felony counts of injuring a girlfriend, one felony count of cruelty to an animal, and misdemeanor contempt of court in case 25CJCF02230. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. Melnyk’s preliminary hearing is set for today in Department 41 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division.
• On April 21, at an apartment in Hollywood, Melnyk allegedly threw his girlfriend’s 4-year-old terrier mix, Charlie, off a balcony, causing the dog to strike the concrete and die. A medical examination revealed that Charlie had healing injuries consistent with prior abuse. If convicted as charged, Melnyk faces up to seven years state prison, plus 364 days in county jail on the misdemeanor.

• Marc Ibanez (dob 11/14/97) was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25BFCF00210. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. Ibanez’s early disposition hearing is set for May 7 in Department J of the Norwalk Courthouse. Investigated by the Whittier Police Department.
• On March 19, at around 11:24 a.m., surveillance video allegedly captured the defendant dragging a 9-year-old German shepherd named Leo behind a truck near a business in the 9700 block of S. Alburtis Ave. in Santa Fe Springs. Moments later, the dog runs away, and the defendant is allegedly seen holding a sharp object. In a separate video, the German shepherd appears bleeding. Law enforcement later recovered a 13-inch grass sickle covered in dog hair, matching the object seen in the video. Leo received lacerations to the left side of his forehead and chest. If convicted as charged, Ibanez faces up to four years in state prison.

• Micheala Urquidi (dob 8/20/02) was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25SFCF00724. Urquidi pleaded not guilty during her arraignment. Her preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for May 7 in Department G of the San Fernando Courthouse. Investigated by the LAPD’s Mission Division.
• On Aug. 3, 2024, at around 7 p.m., Urquidi who was pet sitting a 22-month-old American Bully, Chula, in the victims’ San Fernando home is accused of strangling the dog. The owners returned and found Chula dead. If convicted as charged, she faces three years in county jail.

• Blaise Prymmer (dob 12/4/01) was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25PSCF00224. Prymmer pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for May 13 in Department N of the Pomona Courthouse. Investigated by the La Verne Police Department.
• On April 23 at around 2:47 a.m., Prymmer is accused of trying to hang the family dog, an older corgi/chihuahua mix, Hope, in their La Verne home but was unsuccessful. He then allegedly used a crowbar and hit Hope on the head until she died. He told police he killed Hope because the dog’s barking prevented him from sleeping. If convicted as charged, his maximum is three years in county jail.

• Emmanuel Perdomo (dob 12/17/81) was charged with one felony count each of cruelty to an animal and arson of property of another in case 25SFCF00452. Perdomo pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. His competency hearing is set for May 13 in Department 213 of the San Fernando Courthouse. Investigated by LAPD’s Foothill Division.
• On March 7, Perdomo is accused of bringing a cage containing a cat to Dora Street in Sun Valley and setting the cage on fire after dousing it with a flammable liquid. After the cat burned to death, the defendant allegedly dumped the body from the cage, kicked it, and took a close-up photo of the carcass with his cell phone. If convicted as charged, he faces seven years and four months in state prison.

• Miguel Abadmunoz (dob 9/29/80) was charged with two felony counts of arson of property of another and one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25CJCF01508. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for May 9 in Department 38 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Investigated by LAPD’s Olympic Division.
• On March 18, at about 10:04 a.m., Abadmunoz allegedly used a torch to set an approximately 10-year-old male Siamese cat on fire on Dewey Avenue in Los Angeles. A witness then observed the defendant allegedly attempting to ignite a nearby apartment building. When police arrived, they found a butane torch in the defendant’s front left pocket. Officers noted that the cat was severely burned and struggling to breathe. Due to the extent of its injuries, the cat was later euthanized. If convicted as charged, Abadmunoz faces up to 13 years and eight months in state prison.
• Arturo Morales (dob 1/2/70) was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal and four felony counts of possession of a bird or animal for fighting in case 25DWCF00335. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for May 21 in Department J of the Norwalk Courthouse. Investigated by Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Norwalk Station and Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control.
• On March 29, at about 4:01 p.m., deputies discovered a backyard shed set up as a cockfighting ring, covered in feathers and dried blood. A bag containing dead roosters — one with a razor blade attached to its claw — was found, along with multiple cages labeled with the birds’ names and weights, but lacking food or water. A nearby refrigerator contained a ‘hematopoietic stimulant.’ Morales is accused of operating the ring. If convicted as charged, Morales faces up to three years in county jail.

Recent news releases for LADA animal cruelty cases:

• Alexander Cueva accused in the abuse of 6- to 8-month-old German Shepherd mix, Inara.
• Donald Jeffes accused in the abuse of 5-year-old American Micro Bully, Rusty.

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

REPORT SUSPECTED ANIMAL ABUSE, CRUELTY AND NEGLECT

If serious abuse is in progress call 911.

Otherwise, contact your local animal services agency:

City of Los Angeles Animal Services: (888) 452-7381

Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control:

South County Communication Center: (562) 940-6898 North County Communication Center: (661) 940-4191

Long Beach Animal Care Services: (562) 570-7387

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA):

(323) 730-5300 or 1-888-spcaLA1

Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA):

(562) 803-3301

Submit anonymous tips to LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

Access our new animal cruelty brochure here.