Suspect Convicted of Felony Animal Cruelty

On January 4, 2013, Kevin Hor pleaded guilty to California Penal Code Section 597(a) Animal Cruelty, with a weapons allegation, making the charge a strike, under California’s "Three Strikes" policy.  Hor may serve a maximum of 2 years 4 months in state prison.  This investigation came to light when a concerned witness telephoned the Los Angeles Police Department to report animal abuse in progress.  Patrol officers from the Hollenbeck Division responded and conducted an investigation, which led to Hor’s arrest for animal cruelty.  The puppy, named Picasso, was taken for emergency medical treatment, but had to be euthanized due to its injuries.  

The Animal Cruelty Task Force (A.C.T.F.) assumed investigative responsibility of the case.  The investigation revealed that witnesses previously observed Kevin Hor abusing a two month old pit bull puppy, named, Picasso.  On one occasion, Hor placed a card board box over the puppy’s head and stepped on it.  When Picasso was cornered into a fence, Hor struck the dog with a pipe looking object.  Hor then kicked and punched the puppy in the face repeatedly.

On another incident, Hor was caught on video abusing Picasso.  Hor was seen on video punching and stomping on Picasso.  He used an unknown object to strike Picasso causing the puppy to let out a loud yelping cry.    

Picasso suffered two broken ribs and a broken left shin-bone.  In addition, the puppy had an obvious problem with his hind legs.  The puppy was unable to properly bear weight on his hind legs and could not move his legs normally.   Department of Animal Services Veterinarian concluded the most likely cause of Picasso’s injuries was trauma to his spinal cord, resulting in a motor neuron problem in the hind legs.  

The ACTF was established in 2005 and consists of personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Animal Services.  This partnership facilitates a comprehensive approach to the prevention, intervention, detection, and prosecution of acts of animal cruelty.  The success of ACTF is achieved through the investigative expertise of the task force members, the use of veterinary forensics, and the prosecution efforts of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The City of Los Angeles aggressively investigates and prosecutes acts of animal cruelty.  There is a strong correlation between those who commit acts of animal cruelty and those who commit acts of violence against humans, and the goal of the ACTF is to break the cycle of violence through aggressive prevention, intervention, detection, and prosecution of acts of animal cruelty.

Acts of animal cruelty can be reported by contacting the ACTF at the following:

(213) 486-0450 [Mon-Fri 7:00 am to 5:00 pm]
877-LAPD-24-7 (877 527-3247) [Non-business hours and weekends]
(800) 222-TIPS (800 222-8477) [Crime Stoppers – anonymous]
Text 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) [Crime Stoppers – All messages should begin with the Letters “LAPD”]
LAPDOnline.org [Click on “webtips” and follow prompts]