A 27-year-old man who allegedly killed his ex- roommate's dog during a burglary in West Hollywood pleaded not guilty Wednesday to animal cruelty and two other felony charges.
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Anmol Bhatia was charged Tuesday with one count each of animal cruelty, first-degree residential burglary and vandalism with $400 or more in damage or destruction of property, along with an allegation that the victim in the burglary charge was at least 65 years old -- a fact the defendant knew or should have known, prosecutors said.
Bhatia allegedly broke into his ex-roommate's apartment at about 11:30 p.m. Sept. 4, killed his former roommate's dog and vandalized the ex- roommate's property, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
He was allegedly captured on video slamming the dog to the ground, stomping on the animal and then throwing the non-responsive dog off the balcony on to a nearby construction site, where the pet was found dead, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Bhatia was arrested Sunday night and has remained in custody since then, with his bail set at $175,000.
He had been described as a person of interest by investigators, who had disseminated home security video of a suspect believed to be Bhatia entering the home in the 1200 block of Harper Avenue, one block north of Santa Monica Boulevard and one block east of Sweetzer Avenue.
In a statement about the case, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said "the level of animal cruelty in this case is deeply disturbing."
Bhatia is due back in court Oct. 9. A date is scheduled to be set then for a hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to require him to stand trial.
If convicted as charged, Bhatia could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.
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