Full Breakdown
Anaheim Woman Arrested After Puppy Killed in Minivan
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Hahn Nguyen, a 75-year-old resident of Anaheim, was taken into custody by the Santa Ana Police Department on suspicion of animal cruelty and animal abandonment after surveillance footage showed a minivan deliberately running over a 9-month-old pit-bull mix named Blackey. The video captured Nguyen placing food near the driver’s-side door, allowing the puppy to approach, then slowly moving the vehicle so the rear left tire rested on the animal for roughly fifteen seconds before driving away.
Background & Context
The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood of Santa Ana in early September. A neighbor who discovered the dead puppy reported the matter to authorities, prompting a week-long investigation. Police released the video to the public in hopes of identifying the driver, noting that the license-plate was not visible in the clip. The case follows a 2024 San Diego incident in which a man received a two-year prison sentence for deliberately running over a 17-year-old Bichon Frisé mix, illustrating the seriousness with which California law treats intentional animal killings.
Timeline
- Early September: Blackey is found dead on a street near 926 W. Park Lane; Animal Services respond.
- Following days: Police canvass the area, obtain surveillance footage, and issue a public request for help identifying the vehicle.
- Mid-week: Automated license-plate-reader (ALPR) technology links the minivan to Nguyen’s residence in Anaheim.
- Thursday (the day of the arrest): Detectives locate Nguyen’s home, find the Honda Odyssey parked in her garage, and book her at the Santa Ana Jail.
Data & Statistics
- Dog: 9-month-old pit-bull mix, black and white, named Blackey.
- Vehicle: Older-model Honda Odyssey minivan.
- Duration of contact: Approximately fifteen seconds with the rear left tire on the puppy.
- Charges: Penal Code § 597(a) (animal cruelty) and § 597s(a) (animal abandonment), both misdemeanors carrying up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine; animal cruelty can be charged as a “wobbler,” allowing a felony classification with penalties up to three years in county jail and $20,000 in fines.
Official Statements & Responses
Officer Natalie Garcia, a department spokesperson, confirmed that Nguyen admitted ownership and abandonment of the puppy and explained that Nguyen’s boyfriend had complained the dog was biting his shoes, prompting the abandonment. Garcia also noted that the case is being forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Nguyen’s boyfriend told police that Nguyen claimed the dog had been run over but did not acknowledge that she herself had driven over it. Police reports indicate Nguyen admitted to both owning and abandoning Blackey, yet she did not explicitly admit to intentionally running the animal over. The discrepancy between the boyfriend’s account and the police narrative remains unresolved.
What’s Next
The district attorney’s office will review the evidence and decide whether to pursue misdemeanor or felony charges for animal cruelty. If felony charges are filed, Nguyen could face up to three years in county jail and a $20,000 fine. The case also underscores ongoing discussions about the use of ALPR technology in criminal investigations.