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Man Charged With Killing Neighbor's Chihuahua With Golf Club

MENIFEE (CBS) — A 58-year-old man was charged with animal cruelty Tuesday for allegedly beating his neighbor's Chihuahua to death with a golf club.

Larry Edward Jaurequi, who's free on bail, could face four years behind bars if convicted.

According to Riverside County sheriff's officials, the defendant struck the 6-pound Chihuahua, named "Lily", after the dog and a poodle mix got loose from their owner's property.

The dogs were roaming the 28100 block of Summitrose Drive when Jaurequi, who lives nearby, approached and "swung the club against the Chihuahua as if driving a golf ball off its tee," Riverside County sheriff's deputy Sergio Rodriguez said.

"The force of the swing sent the animal flying through the air," Rodriguez said. "The suspect was preparing for a second swing when he was stopped by people that just witnessed his acts."

The dog's owner, Barbara Hitchman, arrived soon after and confronted Jaurequi. She took Lily to a veterinary clinic where she died of a lacerated liver, brain damage and a leg fracture.

The poodle mix was uninjured.

Rodriguez said Jaurequi attacked the dogs without "reason or cause".

» RELATED: Menifee Man Accused Of Beating Neighbor's Chihuahua To Death

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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