WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, September 24, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that a man was charged with felony animal cruelty, first-degree residential burglary and vandalism for allegedly breaking into his former roommate’s home and violently beating the victim’s small dog and throwing it off the balcony onto a nearby construction site, where it was found dead.
Anmol Bhatia, 27, of Los Angeles was charged in case 25ARCF01933 with one felony count each of first-degree residential burglary, animal cruelty and vandalism $400 or more in damage or destruction of property.
It is further alleged that the Bhatia committed a violent crime against the vulnerable: the victim was at least 65 years old, a fact the defendant knew or should have known.
The incident transpired on September 4, deputies with the LASD West Hollywood Station responded to the 1200 block of Harper Avenue regarding burglary call at 11:36 p.m.
Bhatia allegedly broke into his ex-roommate’s apartment in West Hollywood and killed the animal. The defendant is allegedly captured on video violently slamming the victim’s dog to the ground and stomping on it, before throwing the nonresponsive dog off the balcony. The defendant also allegedly vandalized the victim’s property.
Photo courtesy of the LASD West Hollywood Station.
He fled the scene and was arrested on September 21 by officers with the Beverly Hills Police Department.
Bhatia was arraigned Wednesday and pleaded not guilty. The court set bail at $175,000. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for October 9 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted as charged, Bhatia faces a maximum sentence of seven years and eight months in state prison.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Hollywood Station.