A West Covina man who allegedly killed his roommate’s dog by jumping on the diminutive Chihuahua’s head faces up to three years in county jail if convicted of animal cruelty.
Mark Rivera Rodriguez, 35, has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge stemming from the death Tuesday of his roommate’s Chihuahua, Alvin, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Rodriguez was allegedly hanging from a back yard tree when he jumped down and landed on the dog’s head. The canine’s owner immediately took his pet to a veterinarian’s office, but the animal could not be saved, according to prosecutors.
Rodriguez was arrested later that day.
He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail while awaiting his next court appearance March 27, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
— City News Service