LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A 27-year-old man who allegedly killed his ex- roommate’s dog during a burglary in West Hollywood is due in court Wednesday to face animal-cruelty and burglary charges, among other counts.
Anmol Bhatia was charged Tuesday with one felony count each of animal cruelty, first-degree residential burglary and vandalism with $400 or more in damage or destruction of property, along with an allegation that the victim in the burglary charge was at least 65 years old — a fact the defendant knew or should have known, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
He is set to be arraigned Wednesday at the Airport courthouse, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Bhatia was arrested at about 8 p.m. Sunday and has remained in custody since then, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department online inmate records.
He had been described as a person of interest by investigators, who had disseminated home security video of a suspect believed to be Bhatia entering the home in the 1200 block of Harper Avenue, one block north of Santa Monica Boulevard and one block east of Sweetzer Avenue, at around 11:35 p.m. on Sept. 4.
Bhatia’s name and image were shared with the public by investigators.
“Deputy personnel contacted the victim, who informed them the residence was burglarized, and his pet dog was deceased,” according to a sheriff’s department statement. “The victim reviewed and showed deputies video surveillance from inside the residence.”
The video shows the suspect entering the residence without permission before abusing the small dog until the animal became unresponsive, according to the sheriff’s department.
“The dog was found deceased by the victim and the responding deputies,” according to a sheriff’s department statement that said the investigation into the alleged burglary and animal abuse was ongoing.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the dog belonged to Bhatia’s former roommate.
Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to call detectives at the West Hollywood sheriff’s station at 310-855-8850.
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