Hawthorne Man Arrested For Animal Cruelty After Allegedly Running Over His Chihuahua

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA.com) — A 45-year-old man was arrested last week for animal cruelty after his dog was found dead in Hawthorne.

Michael David Parker was arrested at work Friday after Hawthorne police located his 5-year-old Chihuahua, Cow Cow, dead in a bag near El Segundo Boulevard and Doty Avenue.

During a follow-up investigation, detectives located a surveillance video, which reportedly shows Parker driving to a nearby alley on Dec. 28. Parker can be seen opening his trunk and closing it before reentering his vehicle, according to police.

"Moments later 'Cow Cow' appears from the side of the vehicle and runs out in front of it. Parker backs his vehicle up, and then appears to accelerate rapidly, steering directly toward the dog. 'Cow Cow' is run completely over," investigators said in a statement.

A nearby resident found the dog and placed it in the bag, according to authorities.
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Parker was booked at the Hawthorne Police Department before he posted bond. His arraignment was scheduled for March 25 at the Los Angeles Airport Courthouse.