A Long Beach man accused of killing a friend’s dog pleaded not guilty Friday to a felony animal cruelty charge.
Rubin Powell III, 27, reportedly was seen kicking a dog down a flight of stairs at a Long Beach apartment building Aug. 11, according to Deputy District Attorney Paul Guthrie.
Authorities discovered a beagle named Sage dead when they arrived at Powell’s residence, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The dog belonged to a friend of Powell’s, according to the prosecutor.
Powell was immediately arrested, but later released on $20,000 bond.
He is due back in a Long Beach courtroom Dec. 2.
If convicted of the felony count, Powell faces up to three years in county jail, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
— City News Service