A 25-year-old North Hollywood man is facing a stack of criminal charges after prosecutors say he killed his girlfriend’s two-month-old rabbit, Momo, in a burst of violence. Authorities allege the rabbit was stomped and then thrown from the couple’s second-floor apartment in North Hollywood. The defendant has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody while the case moves through the court.
Charges and arraignment
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Nikolas Hart, 25, with six counts, including a felony count of animal cruelty and multiple misdemeanor counts involving domestic violence, witness tampering, and disobeying a court order. Bail was set at $150,000, according to CBS Los Angeles. Prosecutors say Hart could face up to eight years in state prison if convicted as charged. At his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty and was ordered to stay away from the victim and from any animals while the case is pending.
Prosecutors' statement
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman framed the case as part of a disturbing larger pattern. Prosecutors say they believe Hart assaulted his girlfriend on earlier occasions before the incident involving the rabbit. “This defendant is accused of assaulting his girlfriend on prior occasions, then later killing a defenseless animal in a violent outburst,” Hochman said in a written statement, as reported by CBS Los Angeles.
Alleged attack
The confrontation prosecutors are focused on allegedly took place the night of Feb. 11. Hart is accused of stomping on the 2-month-old rabbit, then placing the animal in a trash bag and throwing it from the couple’s second-story apartment in North Hollywood, according to Patch. Veterinary examiners later determined that Momo died of blunt-force trauma to the chest, abdomen, and face. The District Attorney’s Office also alleges Hart assaulted his girlfriend on other occasions separate from the rabbit’s death.
Why prosecutors flagged the case
The District Attorney’s Office has recently increased its focus on animal-cruelty prosecutions and says it intends to seek serious penalties for violent acts against pets. The office reports having filed dozens of animal-cruelty cases in recent months as part of that push, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Research has also long flagged a connection between cruelty to animals and intimate partner violence; a 2021 systematic review in Aggression and Violent Behavior found that animal abuse is common in households with intimate partner violence and can be used as a means of control.
Legal outlook and next steps
Hart is scheduled to return to court on April 16. Prosecutors say a protective order bars him from owning or caring for animals while the criminal case is underway, according to Patch. The current case includes one felony count of animal cruelty along with multiple misdemeanor counts. If he is convicted on the most serious charges, he faces a potential state prison term. As in every criminal proceeding, the allegations remain to be proven in court, and Hart is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.
Resources for survivors and pet safety
Advocates say fear for a pet’s safety often keeps people in dangerous relationships longer than they want to stay. For confidential help and safety planning that includes animals, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides resources and 24/7 support at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). National groups such as RedRover Relief also offer emergency boarding grants and programs designed to help survivors keep their pets safe while leaving abusive homes.
