The small mixed-breed remains hospitalized; Anaheim detectives are gathering footage and veterinary records.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — An overnight security video showing a woman dropping a plastic bag with a small dog over University Veterinary Center’s back fence has become the centerpiece of an Anaheim police investigation launched Wednesday morning, clinic staff and officers said.
The footage, shared widely by news outlets, arrives as authorities weigh potential animal cruelty charges and await a detailed veterinary report on the dog’s injuries and weight. Investigators confirmed they have interviewed the woman seen in the video and are checking nearby cameras to trace her path. The dog remained in intensive care Friday, with staff describing his condition as critical but guarded after emergency treatment for dehydration, bruising and suspected internal trauma.
Time-stamped video shows the woman approaching shortly after 1:36 a.m., lifting a grocery-style plastic bag and dropping it into the fenced yard before leaving. When staff arrived after sunrise, they heard movement near the back door and found the animal. Dr. Ash Hakhamian, a veterinarian at the clinic, said the team began fluids, pain management and imaging while documenting wounds. “We’re doing everything we can to stabilize him and preserve evidence,” Hakhamian said.
Detectives described the dog as a small male mixed breed that appeared malnourished on intake. They said the animal’s condition suggests neglect before the drop and noted that the fence was locked, with no staff present overnight. Police have not released the woman’s name and declined to discuss possible motives, saying facts will be presented to prosecutors once the medical workup and interviews are complete. The clinic has withheld the dog’s prospective name until ownership is clarified.
California law provides for felony penalties in severe cruelty cases and misdemeanors for abandonment or neglect. In prior Orange County cases, prosecutions have relied on security video and veterinary documentation to establish intent and injury. University Veterinary Center sits off a commercial alley where several businesses keep cameras, a factor detectives said could help them fill in the timeline between the drop and the morning discovery.
Next steps include canvassing for witnesses, pulling additional footage from neighboring lots and completing a veterinary forensic report. Police said they plan to deliver case materials to the Orange County District Attorney after the weekend. Clinic staff said updates on the dog’s condition are expected early next week and will determine whether surgery is required.
By Friday afternoon, flowers and short notes had been placed by the clinic sign. “It’s upsetting to see,” said customer Daniel Reyes, who stopped by to ask about the dog. A nearby shop owner said the block is usually quiet at night. “The camera caught everything,” he said.
As of late Friday, the dog remained under close monitoring while detectives reviewed additional footage; authorities said a broader update is expected Monday.
Author note: Last updated November 15, 2025.