Beloved French bulldog stomped to death by burglars who broke into home as family slept, police say
A French bulldog was brutally stomped to death after burglars broke into a Los Angeles home while its occupants were sleeping, according to police.
The dog, named Leia, was fatally injured when the intruders encountered her during the early-morning burglary in North Hollywood on Friday.
Police arrested four suspects after two separate pursuits, NBC4 reported.
The horrifying incident unfolded around 2:50 a.m. at a property in the 6000 block of Farmdale Avenue.
Authorities said the suspects entered the home while the residents were asleep and encountered Leia before allegedly attacking the animal.
The intruders then removed a safe from a separate building at the rear of the property, police told NBC4.
Officers responding to the burglary requested backup as the investigation unfolded, according to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson.
The LAPD provided limited details about the incident but confirmed it took suspects into custody.
NBC4 reported that officers apprehended four people after two separate pursuits and recovered the stolen safe.
One of the suspects was allegedly carrying a firearm.
All four were booked on suspicion of felony burglary and animal cruelty, according to the station.
Police have not publicly identified the suspects or disclosed what was inside the safe.
The reported killing of Leia adds a particularly disturbing element to the burglary, which occurred while the home’s occupants were asleep.
Police told NBC4 that the French bulldog was stomped on after the intruders encountered her inside the residence.
