Authorities have arrested a 30-year-old woman accused of throwing a malnourished poodle over a fence behind an Anaheim veterinary clinic.
Surveillance footage captured Tyler Nashae Thompson, 30, tossing a plastic grocery bag over the 8-foot fence and walking back into an apartment complex, Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer said Thursday in a statement posted on X. When the bag hit the ground, a white poodle walked out.
The incident occurred just after 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 12. The owner of the veterinary clinic arrived at work at 6:30 a.m. and found the dog, which was “extremely malnourished,” infested with fleas and missing a tooth, Spitzer said.
“This poor dog was subjected to unimaginable suffering by someone who was supposed to care for her. Only the truly depraved would make the decision to abuse an animal who has no way to protect itself and then throw it away like a piece of trash,” Spitzer said in the statement.
“The abuse of any defenseless animal will not be tolerated and those who engage in violence against animals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
OC Animal Care is caring for the dog, the statement said.
Thompson was charged with animal cruelty and animal abuse and is being held in Orange County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, the statement said. If convicted, she faces up to three years in jail. She is due in court Monday.
