LOWELL, Mass. – Kimberly Hernandez, 30, appeared before a judge in Lowell, Massachusetts on Tuesday, facing charges of animal cruelty after being caught on video abusing her dog. The disturbing footage, discovered by the property manager following a car crash in the area, showed Hernandez kicking her dog, named Rex, and throwing it into an apartment on Westford Street. Hernandez admitted to the acts of cruelty captured on camera, citing alcohol use as a contributing factor to her behavior.
The video, too distressing to air in its entirety by NBC10 Boston, prompted an investigation that led to Hernandez facing two counts of animal cruelty. Witnesses and neighbors attending the court hearing expressed horror and disbelief at the heinous behavior displayed in the footage. Despite admitting to the charges, Hernandez informed the judge that she planned to hire her own attorney for the case.
The judge imposed a $5,000 bail requirement and ordered Hernandez to have no unsupervised contact with animals, including being required to surrender all pets, including Rex, who is now in the custody of animal control. Despite some residents expressing relief at the measures taken by the court, there remained dissatisfaction and a sense of unease regarding the outcome of the case. Hernandez is scheduled to appear in court again next month.