Valley Man Violently Killed Girlfriend's Pet Baby Rabbit In 'Fit Of Rage': DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A San Fernando Valley man has been charged with violently beating his girlfriend's baby pet rabbit to death in a fit of rage, according to prosecutors.

Nikolas Hart, 25, of North Hollywood, pleaded not guilty on Monday to one felony count of animal cruelty; one misdemeanor count each of injury to a spouse or cohabitant and attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim/witness; and three misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order to not contact the victim, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

He's due back in court April 16. His bail was set at $150,000. The court issued a protective order prohibiting him from owning or having any animals in his care or custody, according to prosecutors.

Hart is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend's pet rabbit, Momo, on the night of Feb. 11.

During a "fit of rage," he stomped on the 2-month-old rabbit, put him in a trash bag and threw him to the ground from their second-story apartment, prosecutors claim.

The rabbit died from blunt force trauma to the chest, abdomen and face, prosecutors said.

Hart is also accused of assaulting his girlfriend on previous occasions.

If convicted as charged, Hart faces up to eight years in state prison.