Police in Santa Ana, California, are hunting a woman who allegedly used food to lure a puppy beneath her minivan before crushing it with the vehicle and driving away.
The pit bull mix was found dead in the street near 926 W. Park Lane on the morning of Sept. 8, but investigators spent weeks piecing together how it got there. Officers and animal-services officials canvassed the neighborhood before locating surveillance footage from a residence across the street that they say captured the entire sequence.
The graphic video, released publicly Wednesday, shows an older-model Honda Odyssey — green or blue in color — pulling up to the location. The woman driving removes the dog from the vehicle and leaves it in the roadway, according to police. She then places food beneath the driver’s side of the minivan. When the puppy moves toward the food, the vehicle advances and the rear driver-side tire rolls over the animal.
The driver left the minivan sitting atop the puppy for approximately 15 seconds before pulling away and heading north on Lowell Street, authorities said. No arrest has been made, and the woman has not been publicly identified.
The case broke open after a resident reported seeing a minivan parked in the area and told officers they believed the puppy had been deliberately run over. That tip sent police and animal-services officials searching for video evidence to confirm what had occurred.
The surveillance recording now forms the centerpiece of their public appeal, offering a clear view of both the suspect and her vehicle. Santa Ana police posted the footage Wednesday as they continued seeking information that could lead to an identification.
Community members have reacted with outrage since the video’s release. One resident stated, “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 voiced skepticism about whether justice would be served. “And if she’s charged at all it will be a misdemeanor and she will probably get probation if anything,” another person added.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to track down the older Honda Odyssey and name the woman behind the wheel.
Santa Ana police are continuing to investigate the death of the puppy and are seeking information that could help identify the driver.