Anaheim Woman Faces Federal Charge in Puppy’s Death

Federal prosecutors charged Hanh Minh Nguyen, an Anaheim resident, with felony animal crushing on October 29 over the death of a nine-month-old pit bull puppy in Santa Ana. If convicted, she could receive up to seven years in federal prison. She also faces state felony charges of animal cruelty and animal abuse, along with an enhancement alleging she used a vehicle as a weapon.

Animal services officers found the puppy, named Blackey, dead on September 8 after a neighbor raised concerns that a minivan driver had intentionally struck him. Police found surveillance footage that prosecutors say showed a woman putting food near a Honda Odyssey, placing the puppy on the ground, then driving over him. The vehicle reportedly pinned him beneath a rear tire for about 15 seconds.

An autopsy found the puppy died from a crushed skull. Prosecutors said he continued breathing for a few minutes following the event and likely experienced severe pain. The federal complaint also describes an intestinal blockage associated with pistachio shells.

Nguyen told police the vehicle shown in the footage was hers, but denied hitting a dog with it and said the puppy had died after being struck by a car about a month earlier. Authorities have also said she acknowledged owning and abandoning Blackey. She was released after posting $20,000 bail, with a federal court appearance set for Santa Ana on November 2.

The federal charge was brought under the 2019 Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, which prohibits animal crushing nationwide. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the law allowed federal authorities to bring the case.