Pit-bull fatally wounded with hatchet
Santa Cruz, CA (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jun 18, 2005
County: Santa Cruz

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Brian Millen

A man arrested June 18 on Morrell Cutoff Road on suspicion he fatally injured a pit bull with a hatchet was arraigned June 22. Prosecutor Ellen Campos said Brian Millen, 37, was not charged with animal cruelty because it appeared he was protecting his Lhapsa apso when he struck the pit bull.

Millen pleaded innocent on June 22 to being a felon in possession of a loaded gun and possessing drugs, court officials said.

He remains in County Jail with bail set at $10,000.

The female pit bull, Vina, belonged to an electrician doing work on Millen's home, deputies said. Millen's Lhapsa apso was taken to county Animal Services.

He was on probation for criminal threats and domestic battery and his terms prohibit him from having weapons, Campos said.

References

• Santa Cruz Sentinel - June 23, 2005

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