ANAHEIM, CA — An Orange County woman intentionally killed a pit bull puppy by placing food under her minivan to lure it underneath the vehicle before driving forward, crushing the animal, the Justice Department said Friday.
Anaheim resident Hanh Minh Nguyen, 75, was charged Thursday with animal crushing, a felony that carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison.
Nguyen is expected to make her first appearance in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana in the coming weeks.
"Luring a defenseless puppy with food only to crush him beneath a vehicle is an act of appalling cruelty," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, in September 2026, law enforcement received a call about a deceased black-and-white male pit bull puppy that appeared to have been intentionally run over. Upon further investigation, law enforcement received a video of a woman in a Honda Odyssey minivan opening a door and releasing the puppy from the vehicle.
The animal then moved under the minivan and the driver's door closed. The driver then opened the door and dropped what appeared to be food on the street near the driver's door and motioned with her hand for the animal to come to the food, court papers show.
As the driver pulled forward, the puppy was run over by the rear driver's side tire. The driver allegedly stopped the car and the vehicle remained stopped on top of the puppy for approximately 15 seconds before driving away, prosecutors said.
In August, federal law enforcement officials announced a $5,000 reward and an FBI tip line seeking information leading to the successful prosecution of those who violate the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, a law carrying penalties of up to seven years behind bars.
The statute, which President Donald Trump signed into law in November 2019, criminalizes participation in animal abuse, such as the making of "animal crushing" videos.
"Thanks to President Trump signing the PACT Act into law, we can bring federal charges for the horrific abuse alleged in this case," Essayli said. "We will use every federal tool available to hold animal abusers accountable."
Anyone who believes they have evidence against someone suspected of breaking the law is encouraged to email the FBI at LA- AnimalCrimesTipline@ic.fbi.gov.
Successful tips include specific evidence: photographs, videos, dates, times, locations and a description of the person committing the crime, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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