Man Gets Three Years for Long Beach Puppy Abuse

Alexander Cueva, a 28-year-old from Westminster, was sentenced to three years in state prison and banned from owning animals for ten years after pleading no contest to felony animal cruelty for abusing his 6-to-8-month-old German Shepherd mix puppy in Long Beach on April 21. Surveillance video of the incident, which showed Cueva violently assaulting the puppy, sparked public outrage and was widely circulated on social media, leading to his swift arrest. Animal rights organizations, including PETA, offered rewards for information that contributed to the case. The puppy, identified as Inara or Rue, survived and is now recovering in a foster home under Long Beach Animal Care Services. District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized that the conviction underscores the seriousness of animal cruelty and its connection to broader violent behavior. Authorities also cautioned the public about fraudulent fundraising efforts and directed donations to official sources.