San Francisco: Arrest made in dog's kicking death caught on surveillance video

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

An arrest has been made in the brutal kicking death of a dog captured on surveillance video earlier this month, San Francisco Animal Care and Control officials said today.

After identifying Nicholas Cornelius, 24, as the suspect, San Francisco sheriff's deputies arrested him on Sunday.

Cornelius allegedly kicked a small dog, named Puppet, against a wall in an alley outside of 638 Market St. on June 1, Animal Care and Control officials said.

Puppet, a three-year-old male terrier mix, suffered a fractured skull and died from his injuries a day after he was kicked.

After receiving tips about the suspect and his whereabouts, deputies were able to locate him and arrest him.

"Animals deserve our care and compassion," District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement.

"When someone takes advantage of their vulnerability, we have a responsibility to hold their offenders accountable."

"We thank the community for their support," Virginia Donahue, Animal Care and Control's executive director, said in a statement. "The community acts as our eyes and ears, and in this case, the information provided to our agency led to an arrest."

***WARNING: Video shows graphic violence***