Two women who were arrested in late February for their alleged roles in abusing a small dog have now been charged with animal cruelty, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday.
The two women — 46-year-old Lagashia Shante Williams and 18-year-old Graciela Amarged — are also being charged with drawing or exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner. Williams is also being charged with filing a false report.
If convicted, Williams and Amarged could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in county jail and up to a $20,000 fine.
The charges follow an investigation by Pittsburg police into a incident on Feb. 19, when Williams and Amarged reportedly confronted a man in the driveway of his home about an incident involving an elderly neighbor having accidentally run over a plant.
“During their conversation, which escalated into an argument, Amar walked toward a vehicle, retrieved what turned out to be an imitation firearm, and handed it to Williams,” according to a news release from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. “As the argument between the three individuals continued, Williams brandished the imitation weapon, causing the homeowner to back away,”
The altercation was captured on video, which shows the homeowner retreating from the two women, picking up one of his two dogs as he did so.
Yet, that still left the other dog unprotected.
“As he was walking away, Williams told Amar to kick the other dog, which she did. The force of the kick sent the animal aloft, through the air, landing several feet away on the lawn of the homeowner’s property,” the news release continues. “The homeowner picked up the wounded animal, who was crying out, and went inside his home.
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One of the women then called 911 and reported that the homeowner had a gun, a claim that was later found to be false.
The two women were then booked into the Martinez and West County Detention Facilities on Feb. 27, with both released on bail within a few days.
