Santa Ana police arrest woman in puppy death investigation

Santa Ana police arrested Hahn Nguyen, 75, of Anaheim, on October 1 on suspicion of animal cruelty and abandonment after investigators used automated license-plate-reader leads to identify her and a minivan linked to the death of a puppy on September 8. Police said the case was presented to the Orange County district attorney’s office for filing consideration; the available accounts do not report whether prosecutors filed charges. The puppy, a 9-month-old black-and-white pit bull mix named Blackey, was found dead on West Park Lane. Police said surveillance footage showed a woman placing the dog and food near a minivan, then driving forward as the puppy approached the food. The vehicle’s rear driver-side tire ran over the animal, and the minivan remained over it for about 15 seconds before leaving, according to police descriptions of the recording. The footage did not clearly show the license plate or the driver’s face. After reviewing the video and pursuing investigative leads, police said automated license-plate-reader information helped them identify the minivan. Officers found Nguyen and the vehicle at her Anaheim home on October 1, police said, and arrested her that day.