WEST COVINA >> A West Covina man accused of killing his roommate’s pet Chihuahua denied an animal cruelty charge on Thursday, officials said.
Mark Rivera Rodriguez is charged with one count of felony animal cruelty in connection with the March 7 death of the animal, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials said in a written statement.
The incident took place about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday at a home in the 200 block of North Phillips Avenue, West Covina police Lt. Ron Allen said.
Prosecutors allege Rodriguez had previously threatened to kill his roommate’s dog, named Alvin, according district attorney’s office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani.
“The defendant was allegedly hanging from a tree in the backyard of the West Covina home when he jumped down and landed on Alvin’s head,” she said. “The dog’s owner immediately took Alvin to the veterinarian, where he was pronounced dead.”
Police arrested Rodriguez later the same day.
Rodriguez remained jailed Friday in lieu of $25,000 bail, records show. He was scheduled to return to the West Covina branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court on March 27 for a hearing in the case.
If convicted as charged, he faces up to three years in county jail.