A man took a golf club and swung at a neighbor's dog so hard that the Chihuahua went flying into the air and ultimately died, according to authorities and reports.

The scumbag was about to take a second swing but as stopped by horrified onlookers, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The suspect was identified as 58-year-old Larry Edward Jaurequi.

It all happened …

… about 2:15 p.m. yesterday at High Ridge Circle and Summitrose Drive in Perris Valley.


View Larger Map

According to a Riverside sheriff's statement:

The investigation revealed two small dogs became loose while their owner was away at work. The two dogs were a Poodle-mix and a Chihuahua. The Chihuahua was estimated at six pounds. The dogs entered a cul-de-sac in the area. A nearby resident took a golf club with him to the area of the dogs. Without reason or cause, the male swung the club against the Chihuahua as if driving a golf ball off its tee. The force of the swing sent the animal flying through the air.

KNX 1070 Newsradio said the suspect assumed a golf-swing stance and appeared to “tee off” on the pooch.

The Chihuahua was taken to an emergency veterinarian but, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, died today.

Jaurequi was jailed on suspicion of felony animal cruelty but got out on $5,000 bail, according to sheriff's officials and records.

[Added at 6:05 p.m.]:

Corp. Courtney Donowho of the Riverside County Sheriff's department tells the Weekly that the dog died with the following injuries and possible causes:

Lacerated liver, fractured leg and brain damage.

She said folks want to know what could have possibly provoked the suspect, and so far all deputies can come up with is, nothing. The neighbors don't have a history of disputes, Donowho said, and there are no records of complaints about the dogs. She says:

No one has any idea. He hasn't really had contact with the dog owner before. No one really understands his frame of reference.

Donowho says authorities checked out Jaurequi for drugs and alcohol and came up negative there too.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.