Santa Ana police arrested 75-year-old Hahn Nguyen of Anaheim on Oct. 1, 2026. She faces suspicion of felony animal cruelty and animal abandonment. The arrest followed a weeks-long investigation. Automated license plate readers identified her minivan in connection with the fatal running over of her 9-month-old puppy on Sept. 8.
Animal Services officers originally discovered the dead black-and-white pit bull mix, named Blackey, near 900 W. Park Lane in Santa Ana. A neighboring resident informed investigators that a driver in a minivan had intentionally crushed the dog in the street.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Shocking Details
Surveillance footage obtained by detectives confirmed the witness account. It showed an older-model blue or green Honda Odyssey arriving at the scene at approximately 9:15 a.m. on September 8. The female driver exited the vehicle, scattered kibble near the driver-side door, and let the puppy out onto the asphalt.
As the young dog ate the food, the driver pulled forward. She pinned the animal beneath the rear left tire for approximately 15 seconds before fleeing north on Lowell Street. Investigators stated that Nguyen remained parked over the distressed animal before driving away.
ALPR Technology and Arrest
The vehicle’s license plate was initially illegible in the surveillance video. However, officers canvassed the neighborhood and used Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to track down the primary suspect. Detectives located the minivan inside a garage at Nguyen’s Anaheim home on Oct. 1.
According to police, Nguyen admitted to owning and abandoning the 9-month-old puppy. Detectives noted she expressed frustration regarding the dog chewing on her belongings. A police spokesperson indicated she did not explicitly admit to intentionally running the animal over during questioning.
Facing Felony Charges
Nguyen was booked at the Santa Ana Jail. Prosecutors charged her with one felony count of animal cruelty, one felony count of animal abuse by a caretaker, and a felony enhancement for the personal use of a vehicle as a weapon to kill an animal.
In California, intentionally harming an animal is a serious felony offense. It is punishable by imprisonment and fines of up to $20,000. Law enforcement officials thanked community members who shared surveillance clips and called in tips that ultimately led to the identification of the vehicle and the suspect’s subsequent capture.
