Animal Cruelty Charge Filed Against Suspect In Dog Abuse Video

LONG BEACH, CA — A Westminster man has been charged with animal cruelty after a video captured him "viciously" abusing a young dog in Long Beach earlier this week, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Alexander Cueva, 28, faces one felony count of cruelty to an animal, along with the special allegation of using a leash as a deadly weapon in the attack, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

"To see this level of calculated violence inflicted on a helpless animal is deeply troubling,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “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."

Cueva, according to authorities, was captured on a surveillance camera Monday physically assaulting a 6- to 8-month-old German Shepherd mix just before 6 a.m.

In the graphic video, the man walks into the frame with the slack dog hanging over his shoulder. Only after he slams it to the ground does the dog appear alive, offering slight resistance before the man kicks it and continues on, hanging the dog over his shoulder again by the leash as he walks away.

The video went viral amid calls for help identifying the suspect and saving the animal from further abuse. The non-profit animal rights organization PETA put up a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the man seen abusing the dog.

Long Beach police arrested Cueva Tuesday in connection with the abuse seen on the video and the city's animal care services department took the dog into their custody.

“This type of cruelty has no place in our community,” Long Beach Police Department Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement thanking people for reporting the attack. "We remain committed to ensuring those who harm others—especially the most vulnerable—are held accountable."

Cueva, who is currently jailed in lieu of $120,000 bail, will be arraigned today at the Long Beach courthouse, according to prosecutors.

If convicted of the charges, he could be sentenced up to four years in state prison, prosecutors said.