LAPD Arrests Suspect in Puppy Tossing Case – NR23097jl

April 21, 2023                                               

UPDATE                                               

If you’re interested in giving Raisin a forever home, contact the Lange Foundation via email at info@langefoundation.org or call them at 310-473-5585.

Tujunga: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division announce the arrest of a suspect for animal cruelty.

On March 27, 2023, LAPD Foothill detectives were alerted to a disturbing video showing a suspect throwing a caged puppy over a fence near Renaissance Drive & Cardamine Court in Tujunga. The suspect was shown exiting his vehicle, a brown Chevrolet Tahoe, opening the rear liftgate, and grabbing a black dog crate. The suspect then walked with the caged dog and tossed it over a fence.

LAPD Foothill Division patrol officers responded to the area and contacted a resident who discovered the dog. The resident stated he searched for the dog after seeing the video on a neighborhood ‘app’ but only found an empty crate. The resident then searched along the Tujunga wash and discovered the injured puppy.

Los Angeles Animal Services personnel responded to the location and took the puppy for safekeeping. The puppy is described as an approximately 2-month-old black female mix. The puppy underwent a physical examination which revealed several injuries that doctors noted were most likely due to the fall from being thrown inside the crate. The puppy is recovering well and will be available for adoption later.

Detectives investigating the case successfully followed up on leads and gathered valuable information from the public. With the community’s assistance, they identified the suspect. On April 18, 2023, Daniel Arias, a 25-year-old male Hispanic from Tujunga, was arrested without incident at his residence. He was booked for 597(A) PC-Animal Cruelty, Booking #6588792. His bail has been set at $20,000.00. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed one count of felony animal cruelty against Arias.

Anyone with information that might aid this investigation is urged to call LAPD Foothill Division detectives at (818) 834-3115. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to (213) 972-2971 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Puppy (now named Raisin)