A Rialto man is behind bars after police say he tortured and killed his estranged wife's long-haired chihuahua, a dog named Prada, in what investigators describe as an especially brutal attack.
According to CBS Los Angeles, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office has charged Tracy Boston, a convicted felon, with animal cruelty and personal use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. He is being held on $1 million bail. "The facts of this case are deeply disturbing," Police Chief Mark P. Kling said in a statement, noting that the arrest followed an investigation presented to prosecutors.
What Investigators Say
Detectives allege Boston hanged the small dog from a door, then beat it with a hammer before discarding the body in a nearby dumpster, according to a Rialto Police Department statement reported by CBS Los Angeles. "The deliberate torture and killing of a defenseless animal is reprehensible," the department said.
Investigators have not released a possible motive and say the case remains open. Authorities are still working to piece together what led up to the alleged killing.
Legal Context
The charges, including animal cruelty and alleged personal use of a deadly or dangerous weapon, can carry serious penalties in California. Under California Penal Code Section 597, cruelty that maliciously maims, tortures or kills an animal can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor and may result in years behind bars and substantial fines, according to FindLaw. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue felony penalties as the investigation and evidence develop.
Rialto police and the district attorney did not immediately provide additional comment beyond the department statement. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Rialto Police Department.
