A woman has been arrested in Santa Monica after allegedly physically beating a puppy, forcing it to howl in pain, according to police.
When Santa Monica police received a call about a woman harming a dog on Sunday, officers were dispatched to Main Street near Pico Boulevard to locate the lady and the 3-month-old puppy.
Santa Monica Animal Control was dispatched to the site and transported the dog to a veterinarian for evaluation. The puppy was later discovered to have a broken leg.
Connie Arreola, 40, the woman accused of harming the puppy, was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.
Police said Arreola and the puppy were both homeless.
As the investigation progressed, anyone who witnessed the incident or has information was encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department.