California: Lucio Lopez accused of torturing kitten by locking her inside freezer, viciously squeezing her, then throwing her off balcony breaking her leg

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA -- A Fontana man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after allegedly putting a kitten in his freezer and then throwing her off his balcony, leaving the cat with serious injuries, police said Tuesday.

Officers began investigating last Friday afternoon after receiving a report of a man assaulting a 3- to 4-month-old kitten in the 9200 block of Olive Street, according to a Fontana Police Department news release.

The man, identified as 34-year-old Lucio Lopez, alleged became angry with the feline for entering his apartment and locked the cat inside the freezer [for an undetermined amount of time], witnesses told police.

He is accused of later taking the small animal out of the freezer and squeezing her body “as the frightened kitten cried out in pain,” the release stated.

After, he allegedly threw the cat off a second-floor balcony, police said. The feline hit the concrete below and suffered major injuries to her chest and a fractured leg.

“The kitten is doing as well as could be, but will need surgery and much needed love,” the release said.

Lopez initially fled the scene but was apprehended by police as he drove in the area of Oleander and San Bernardino avenues, according to the release. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of animal cruelty and an outstanding warrant.

Fontana Police Department Animal Cruelty Arrest

On 02/06/18, at approximately 2:45 am, Fontana PD officers responded to an apartment complex in the 9200 block of Olive, regarding Lucio Lopez (34) assaulting a 3-4 month old kitten.

Lopez fled the scene before the initial officer arrived.  Officers canvased the area and located Lopez driving in the area of Oleander and San Bernardino.

An investigation revealed Lopez was upset with the kitten for entering the apartment. Witnesses reported Lopez placed the kitten in the freezer.  Lopez later took the kitten out of the freezer and began squeezing its body as the frightened kitten cried out in pain. Lopez threw the kitten off the second story balcony.  The kitten struck the concrete floor resulting in major injuries to its chest and a fractured leg.

Lopez was arrested by officers and booked at the West Valley Detention Center for animal cruelty and an outstanding warrant. Fontana Animal Services responded to the scene and transported the kitten to the veterinarian for emergency treatment.

The kitten is doing as well as could be, but will need surgery and much needed love.

• Suspect: Lucio Cota Lopez, 34, Fontana resident
• Victim: 3-4 month old, female tortoiseshell kitten nicknamed “Olive” by emergency room staff  

(KTLA - February 6, 2018)