Man throws puppy down storm drain

DOWNEY - Downey police arrested a man after he allegedy threw a 4-month-old Shih Tzu puppy down a storm drain following an argument with his girlfriend, police officials said Monday. Police arrested Juan Lopez, of Los Angeles, on charges of felony animal cruelty. He was released after posting $20,000 bond. According to witnesses, Lopez got out of the car and threw the puppy, named Chiquito, down a storm drain near Firstone Boulevard and Old River School Road. Downey firefighters and officers from the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) rescued the puppy. "The puppy is presumably doing fine at this point," said Capt. Aaron Reyes, director of operations for SEAACA. "Chiquito was a bit scared, but otherwise unharmed when our animal control officer (Robert Wilson)‚Äàrescued him from the drain." Sgt. Alex Irizabal of the Downey Police Department said Lopez threw the puppy down a drain after he became angry. "He told us he got upset and threw the dog into the drain. He indicated he wanted the dog gone," Irizabal told the Los Angeles Times. "The good thing is we were there fast. Thank God the animal wasn't hurt."********** Published: March 27, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 49