Officers have arrested a man suspected of killing a Jack Russell Terrier near City Hall Park in Pioneer Square.
On Saturday afternoon, the 67-year-old victim was walking his dog through City Hall Park. The suspect confronted him and demanded his jacket. The victim feared the suspect was going to forcibly take the jacket from him, so he pepper-sprayed the suspect in self-defense. The suspect backed away and the victim attempted to leave the area. As the victim was walking away, the suspect ran up behind him and kicked his dog so hard she flew into the air. The victim was also pushed to the ground in the process and sustained minor injuries. When he stood up to go to his dog, he could see she was deceased. The dog was fourteen years old.
The suspect fled the scene, but police identified him based on the victim’s statement and previous interactions with law enforcement and other emergency personnel.
Officers found and arrested the 29-year-old suspect on Sunday evening, less than a block from where the crimes occurred.
The suspect was booked into King County Jail for first-degree Animal Cruelty and attempted second-degree Robbery.
Edit: A previous version of this post referred to the park at 450 3rd Ave as “Courthouse Park.” The post has now been updated to reflect the official name: City Hall Park.