Dreamworks Animator Accused In Beating Death Of Neighbor's Puppy

PASADENA (CBS) — A Pasadena man who works as an animator with DreamWorks Animation pleaded not guilty Thursday to animal cruelty charges including the beating death of a neighbor's 16-month-old German shepherd puppy.

The dog's body has not been recovered.

Young Song, 40, is charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal and a misdemeanor count of petty theft of a dog.

Song allegedly entered his neighbor's yard on April 20, shot the dog with a pellet gun and returned to the owner's yard a short time later and beat the muzzled canine with a hammer. He is also accused of removing the dog's body from the owner's yard.

The alleged attack was captured by a surveillance camera at the residence, according to Steve McNall, president and chief executive officer of the Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA.

"In my 31 years, that is the worst I've ever seen," he said.

"We don't know the motive," said Jane Robison of the District Attorney's Office.

Song has worked for DreamWorks since 2003, and has worked on films such as "Shark Tale," "Bee Movie," "Flushed Away," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Madagascar 2," according to his LinkedIn profile.

Song was arrested Wednesday by Pasadena police and remains jailed in lieu of $40,000 bail. He is due back in Pasadena Superior Court on May 26.

If convicted, Song faces more than four years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

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