SANTA ANA, Calif. — Santa Ana police are asking the public to help identify a woman seen in surveillance footage that appears to show a puppy being deliberately run over by a minivan, a case that remains unresolved weeks after the animal was killed.
Police are asking the public for help identifying the woman who allegedly lured a puppy into the path of her minivan with food before running over the animal in Santa Ana. https://t.co/OwLtEhruck pic.twitter.com/Ma1hTUHdpk
— California Post (@californiapost) October 1, 2026
The incident happened at about 9:15 a.m. on September 8 near the 900 block of West Park Lane. Investigators say the woman was driving an older blue or green Honda Odyssey with a roof rack. Police released the footage after they were unable to identify the driver from the available video.
Video shows puppy removed from minivan
Surveillance footage shows the Honda Odyssey stopping near 926 W. Park Lane. According to investigators, the woman gets out, places dog food on the pavement and removes a puppy from the vehicle.
The puppy approaches the food as the woman returns to the driver’s seat. Police say the Odyssey then moves slowly forward and the rear driver’s-side tire runs over the animal.
The minivan remains stopped over the puppy for about 15 seconds before leaving. Investigators say it was later seen traveling northbound on Lowell Street.
9-month-old puppy found dead
Animal Services officers found a black-and-white male pit bull mix, approximately nine months old, dead at the scene.
Authorities have not publicly identified the puppy’s owner or confirmed the woman’s relationship to the animal. Orange County Animal Services reportedly found no information that immediately established ownership.
The investigation comes amid wider scrutiny of animal-welfare cases in California, including a separate California animal sanctuary investigation involving dogs found buried and hundreds of animals reported missing.
Neighbor’s report led investigators to video
The investigation began after a neighbor reported seeing what appeared to be an intentional act involving the puppy and minivan.
Police and Animal Services canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses and security cameras. Investigators spent roughly three weeks gathering evidence before publicly releasing the footage.
One major obstacle is that the Odyssey’s license plate cannot be clearly read. Police are therefore relying on the vehicle’s appearance and additional cameras that may have recorded its route.
Surveillance evidence can be critical when authorities do not immediately have an identifiable suspect. Video has also helped investigators reconstruct other serious incidents, including the Brooklyn subway backpack death investigation.
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No arrest has been announced
As of the latest publicly available information, Santa Ana police had not announced an arrest or publicly identified the woman.
Police have also not disclosed a motive or confirmed whether she owned the puppy. Those unanswered questions are important as clips from the case circulate online, where strong reactions should not be confused with police findings.
California animal cruelty law carries serious penalties
Under California Penal Code Section 597, malicious or intentional killing and serious abuse of an animal can result in criminal prosecution.
Felony animal cruelty can carry up to three years of incarceration and fines of up to $20,000, depending on the circumstances and charges. Those are potential penalties under California law; no charges against the unidentified woman have been announced.
Police ask residents to check cameras
Investigators want to hear from anyone who recognizes the woman or the older blue-green Honda Odyssey with a roof rack.
Residents and businesses near West Park Lane and Lowell Street are also being encouraged to check security, doorbell or dashcam recordings that could provide a clearer image of the minivan or its license plate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8378. The woman’s identity, the puppy’s ownership and the circumstances leading up to the incident remain under investigation.
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