Chino Hills man Qihui Zhai charged in dog beating video
Neighborhood family hailed as heroes for recording evidence
CHINO HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- A chino hills man has been charged with felony animal cruelty after being caught on video repeatedly hitting his small dog.
Qihui Zhai was charged on June 6 in relation to the incident that happened in late May, when a neighborhood child shot video of the 21-year-old suspect apparently abusing his cocker spaniel, Mookie.
The footage shows Zhai standing with the confined 3-year-old dog in the backyard of his home, using what looks like a stick to hit and poke the animal for about 10 minutes.
According to the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA, the boy heard the dog whimpering and looked out a window to see the alleged abuse taking place. He began shooting footage of the event and his parents called authorities.
Humane Officer William Taber responded to the Zhai's home and reported finding the dog in a neglected state, and being kept in a small, feces-ridden wire pen.
The dog was transferred to the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA, where it is being treated.
Via a news release, IVHS animal supervisor Beth Les called the youngster and his family heroes.
"Their quick thinking not only saved this dog from a life time (sic) of abuse but they were able to ensure we had the evidence to pursue criminal charges against the abuser," Les said.
If convicted Zhai faces possible jail time and fines.
