Anaheim police interviewed a suspect as prosecutors weigh possible charges.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — A surveillance video recorded at 1:36 a.m. Wednesday shows a woman carrying a plastic grocery bag with a small dog inside and tossing it over the fence of University Veterinary Center on West Glenoaks Avenue, then walking away toward a nearby apartment building.
The incident has triggered an animal cruelty investigation and public outcry across Orange County. The dog, a small male Maltese mix, is under veterinary care after suffering trauma from the fall and signs of prolonged neglect, according to the clinic. Anaheim police said officers have interviewed the woman seen on the video and forwarded the case for review to the Orange County district attorney. Authorities and the clinic say the dog needs continued treatment while investigators determine whether criminal charges will be filed.
Staff members said the clinic’s medical director, Dr. Ash Hakhamian, found the dog in the back area of the property shortly after staff arrived Wednesday morning. The video, recorded around 1:36 a.m., shows the bag clearing the metal fence and landing in the yard behind it. Part of the fence’s spike strip was later found damaged, Hakhamian said. “To see the dog thrown over in a trash bag was the worst thing that could happen,” Hakhamian said. He described bruising along the gums and jaw, injuries consistent with the animal’s face striking first. The animal was stabilized and assessed before being transferred for continued care.
Police said the woman lives near the clinic and was contacted by detectives following the release of the footage. Investigators took her statement and relayed their findings to prosecutors to consider charges. The clinic and police said neglect appeared to predate the fall. Staff documented severe matting, a heavy flea burden and nails so overgrown they curled into paw pads. The dog also showed signs of malnourishment and anemia, the clinic said. The animal is being monitored by Orange County Animal Care while the investigation proceeds. Authorities have not released the woman’s name and did not announce an arrest as of Friday.
Surveillance video from University Veterinary Center captured the entire sequence from the street to the fence line. The clinic is located at 1716 West Glenoaks Avenue in northwest Anaheim. The footage shows the woman crossing the street with a white plastic bag, pausing at the fence and tossing the bag over, then returning in the direction she came. Hakhamian said he reviewed the cameras after discovering the dog. “We decided to review the security camera footage, and to our disappointment we found the pet was placed there by being thrown over the fence,” he said. He added that interest in adopting the dog has surged, but any placement decision would wait until the animal is medically cleared.
Authorities said the case will be evaluated for potential animal cruelty charges under California law. The district attorney’s review will consider the video, veterinary records, witness interviews and any statements made by the woman. Police did not release a timeline for the charging decision and said updates would be provided when available. The clinic said the dog remains under close observation. As of Friday, officials described the dog’s condition as serious while emphasizing that treatment is ongoing. No court dates have been set because no charges had been filed as of the latest update.
The episode drew swift reaction from residents who saw the video shared by local stations and social media feeds. Neighbors stopping by the clinic Friday described the footage as disturbing and expressed relief that staff found the dog alive. Hakhamian said the medical team was focused on stabilizing the animal and addressing the underlying neglect. “There’s no excuse to throw a dog in a grocery bag and toss it over a fence,” he said. He added that support from the public has included calls, messages and offers to help with supplies while the dog recovers.
Investigators say the case remains open. Anaheim police said detectives will confer with the Orange County district attorney’s office next week on potential charges, and the clinic expects to provide additional medical updates after the weekend. No further briefings were scheduled as of Saturday morning.
Author note: Last updated November 15, 2025.