A puppy was allegedly lured into the path of a minivan with food before the vehicle was used to run over the animal — with investigators now asking the public for help identifying the woman behind the wheel.
The disturbing episode unfolded Sept. 8 at about 9 a.m. in Santa Ana near 926 W. Park Ln., where the pitbull mix was later found dead in the street.
Police released graphic surveillance footage Wednesday showing what investigators say happened moments earlier.
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A nearby resident reported seeing a female driver intentionally running over the puppy. Instagram/@santaana_pd
Animal Services responded to the area of 900 W. Park Lane regarding a deceased black-and-white male pit bull mix. Instagram/@santaana_pd
The camera footage gives investigators a chilling look at the sequence, a woman arrives in an older Honda Odyssey, removes the dog from the vehicle and leaves it in the roadway.
She then places food beneath the driver’s side area of the minivan. When the dog moves toward the food, the vehicle advances.
The rear tire on the driver’s side rolls onto the animal, police said, and the driver leaves the minivan sitting there for approximately 15 seconds before pulling away.
The Odyssey then heads north on Lowell Street, according to authorities.
A resident was among the first to raise the alarm, telling officers about a minivan parked in the area and expressing the belief that the puppy had been deliberately run over.
That report sent police and animal-services officials looking for video that could establish what had occurred.
They spent weeks canvassing the surrounding area before finding footage from a residence across the street. Police said the recording corroborated the resident’s account.
Now investigators are trying to put a name to the woman captured on camera and track down the vehicle, described by police as an older-model Honda Odyssey that appeared to be green or blue.
The surveillance recording is the centerpiece of the public appeal, giving authorities a potentially useful view of both the suspect vehicle and the alleged attack.
Police posted the graphic video Wednesday as they continued searching for information.
Many in the community have reacted with fury to the footage, with one resident stating, “This is beyond evil and disgusting, we need to find her and come together as a community to attend all the court hearings and everything to enforce strict or punishment for animal abuse.”
Others expressed doubt about the legal consequences she might face, adding, “And if she’s charged at all it will be a misdemeanor and she will probably get probation if anything.”
The woman has not been publicly identified, and no arrest has been made.
Santa Ana police are continuing to investigate the death of the puppy and are seeking information that could help identify the driver.
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