LOWELL, Mass. – A woman in Lowell, Massachusetts pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty on Tuesday, following an incident where she was caught on surveillance footage repeatedly kicking a small dog. Kimberly Hernandez, 30, appeared in Lowell District Court after the video of her abusing the dog was captured just after 2 a.m. at an apartment building.
Prosecutors claimed that the video showed Hernandez kicking the small dog before the animal managed to run away. Additionally, they stated that additional footage showed her grabbing the dog by its neck, throwing it, and hitting it. According to officials, Hernandez admitted to authorities that she had been drinking on the night of the incident and reached a boiling point, leading to the alleged animal abuse.
After being shown the footage, prosecutors said Hernandez became emotional and confessed that she had taken out her frustration on the dog. Following her appearance in court, she was released on $5,000 bail and was ordered to surrender any pets she owns, as well as being prohibited from having any contact with other animals.
As of now, the abused dog is in the custody of animal control. The investigation into this disturbing incident is ongoing, and officials are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the dog and other animals in the future.