Riverside County Man Suspected Of Drowning Neighbor's Dog

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — A necropsy was performed Friday to determine if a man killed his neighbor's dog by drowning the animal.

Riverside County Animal Services Officer Marcel Martinez Thursday responded to reports of a neighbor-versus-neighbor dispute in the 15000 block of Laguna Avenue.

When Officer Martinez arrived, the dog, a 3-year-old female pit bull mix named Puddles, was dead, officials said.

It's unclear how the animal died, but witnesses say Puddles had been involved in "fence fighting" with the neighbor's dog, Riverside County Animal Services officials said.

"The two dogs were engaged in aggressive acts against each other through a small opening between the two properties," officials said in a statement.

Puddles' owner told Officer Martinez that his neighbor eventually put a hose down his dog's mouth.

"Shortly afterward, the dog died," Sgt. Lesley Huennekens said.

"At this point, it's undetermined exactly what caused this animal's death, but what we do know is that this dog died under contentious circumstances," Dr. Allan Drusys, Riverside County's chief veterinarian, said.

No arrests have been made.

If its determined the dog died due to an inhumane act, animal-cruelty charges will be filed with the Riverside County District Attorney's office.