Anmol Bhatia faces seven years, eight months in state prison if convicted as charged 

September 25, 2025 – LOS ANGELES, CA – a 27-year-old man has been charged with felony animal cruelty, first-degree residential burglary and vandalism for allegedly breaking into his former roommate’s home and violently beating the victim’s small dog and throwing it off the balcony onto a nearby construction site, where it was found dead.

“The level of animal cruelty in this case is deeply disturbing,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “Our office does not tolerate animal abuse, and we are fully committed to pursuing justice on behalf of these voiceless victims. Just as we aggressively prosecute residential burglary, we will prosecute animal cruelty. We have filed over 100 animal cruelty cases this year and will continue to hold animal abusers accountable.”

Anmol Bhatia (27) of Los Angeles was charged in case 25ARCF01933 with one felony count each of first-degree residential burglary, animal cruelty and vandalism $400 or more in damage or destruction of property. It is further alleged that the defendant committed a violent crime against the vulnerable: the victim was at least 65 years old, a fact the defendant knew or should have known.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on September 4, the defendant allegedly broke into his ex-roommate’s apartment in West Hollywood and killed his dog. The defendant is allegedly captured on video violently slamming the victim’s dog to the ground and stomping on it, then throwing the non-responsive dog off the balcony. The defendant also allegedly vandalized the victim’s property.

Bhatia fled the scene and was arrested on September 21 by Beverly Hills police.

Bhatia was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty. The Court set bail at $175,000. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for October 9 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse.

If convicted as charged, Bhatia faces a maximum sentence of seven years and eight months in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Katherine Burgermyer, a special designee of the Animal Cruelty Section, and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Hollywood Station.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office