A San Francisco man was convicted of animal cruelty, the District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday, after a jury found him guilty of repeatedly and “viciously” kicking a neighbor’s dog.
In September, 33-year-old Aljerone Green was filmed by surveillance cameras opening the door of his single-room occupancy unit on Mason Street.
His neighbor’s dog — a small black and brown papillon mix, about the size of a Pomeranian — had been left in the hallway and was barking, the district attorney’s office said.
“Mr. Green stared at the dog for about 90 seconds, then briefly went into his apartment, came back, and threw a cutting board toward her,” the district attorney’s office said. “Mr. Green then approached the dog and crouched over her and began to yell at her as she cowered against her owner’s apartment door.”
Green began to chase after the dog as she ran down the hallway, the jury found. He kicked her 11 times, including several times against a wall.
Green was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Details of his sentencing were not available Tuesday afternoon.
“Animals are voiceless victims who cannot advocate for themselves,” Assistant District Attorney Michael Foley said in a statement. “I’d like to thank the jury for being the dog’s voice and bringing her justice. The jury made a just verdict and sent a clear message — animal cruelty is not tolerated in San Francisco.”