Area Man Pleads Not Guilty to Beating His Dog to Death

A Baldwin Park man who allegedly beat his poodle to death pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a felony count of animal cruelty.

Jason Arnold Vaca, 34, was arrested March 18 when police came to his home in response to a 911 call about a man yelling and a dog being hit.

Police found blood in the home and a dead dog in the backyard, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Vaca was arrested after police determined he was the dog's owner. He was later released on $20,000 bail. He is due back in court April 23.

He faces up to three years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

—City News Service