A man accused of breaking into an ex-roommate’s home and torturing his dog to death pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including a felony count of animal cruelty.
Anmol Bhatia, 27, made his initial court appearance Wednesday after he was arraigned for animal cruelty and first-degree residential burglary and vandalism with $400 or more in damage or destruction of property.
Investigators had initially said that they were looking to Bhatia’s whereabouts after they determined he burglarized the home and killed a small dog inside the residence on Harper Avenue near Santa Monica Boulevard on Sept. 4.
Home security video footage showed the suspect entering the home with a blue scarf over his face.
The man then abused the victim’s small dog until it became unresponsive, according to the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The burglary victim later found the deceased dog when he returned home.
After authorities released the video and image of the suspect, Bhatia was arrested Sunday night.
Bhatia’s bail was set at $175,000.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 at the Airport Courthouse.