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Man Caught on Video Abusing Chihuahua at Police Station

On Saturday, South Pasadena Police arrested a man for allegedly kicking and swinging a Chihuahua in the front lobby of the South Pasadena Police Department.

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Photo of Christian Andrew Najera (Courtesy of South Pasadena Police Dept.)

Police said the on-duty police department records clerk Laura Mendez was working next to the lobby and heard a man yelling. When she looked at the monitor displaying a live video feed, she saw the male suspect, 48-year-old Christian Andrew Najera exiting the lobby with a Chihuahua on a leash. The male suspect later returned to the lobby and Mendez witnessed him kick the dog.

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The Chihuahua is in custody of the Pasadena Humane Society.

As she continued to watch the surveillance monitor, Mendez notified a police dispatcher as to what was happening. Police said Mendez then saw the suspect kick the dog several more times and violently swung it in the air by its leash in a circular motion. Najera tried to leave with the dog but was followed by Mendez and a police dispatcher.

Responding officers found Najera quickly at Mound Avenue and Mission Street and arrested him for animal abuse.

South Pasadena police said Najera, a Los Angeles resident, has a lengthy criminal record including several arrests and convictions for violent offenses.

The dog had undetermined injuries and was released into the custody of the Pasadena Humane Society.