A West Hollywood man was arrested on suspicion of felony animal abuse after his roommate’s paralyzed dog was attacked and injured, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told NBC4 Investigates exclusively.
Deputies responded to the apartment late Tuesday night after the animal abuse report. Deputies learned that the roommate of the owner of Scooter, a small 7-year-old Terrier mix whose hind legs were already paralyzed, attacked the dog, leaving him with eye and rib injuries.
Scooter was rushed a veterinarian’s office for treatment and is recovering at home.
The suspect, identified by the LASD as 33-year-old Eduardo Byrnes, was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty. An initial court date was scheduled for Friday, according to jail records. It was not immediately clear whether Byrnes has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Animal cruelty may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a more serious felony level crime in California, largely depending on the severity of the harm caused to the animal.