Valley Man Charged for Killing Girlfriend's Pet Rabbit

Prosecutors say the 25-year-old North Hollywood resident violently beat the 2-month-old bunny to death in a fit of rage.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:06pm

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An extreme close-up of a small, lifeless rabbit's paw on a dark background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the tragic outcome of domestic violence against an animal.A grim reminder of the violent consequences when domestic abuse extends to innocent animal victims.Los Angeles Today

A 25-year-old San Fernando Valley man has been charged with violently killing his live-in girlfriend's pet rabbit, Momo, by stomping on the 2-month-old bunny and throwing it from their second-story apartment during a 'fit of rage' on the night of February 11. The rabbit died from blunt force trauma, and the man is also accused of assaulting his girlfriend on previous occasions.

Why it matters

This case highlights the issue of domestic violence and animal cruelty, which are often linked. Prosecutors are seeking a harsh sentence to send a strong message about the severity of these types of crimes against both human and animal victims.

The details

Nikolas Hart of North Hollywood has been charged with one felony count of animal cruelty, one misdemeanor count each of injury to a spouse or cohabitant and attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim/witness, and three misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order to not contact the victim. He pleaded not guilty and is being held on $150,000 bail. The court also issued a protective order prohibiting him from owning or caring for any animals.

  • On the night of February 11, Hart allegedly killed the rabbit during a 'fit of rage'.
  • Hart pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 6.
  • Hart is due back in court on April 16.

The players

Nikolas Hart

A 25-year-old North Hollywood resident who has been charged with violently killing his girlfriend's pet rabbit and assaulting his girlfriend on previous occasions.

Momo

The 2-month-old pet rabbit that was killed by Nikolas Hart.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on April 16 whether to allow Nikolas Hart to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for stronger laws and enforcement to protect both human and animal victims of domestic violence, as well as the importance of addressing the root causes of such violent behavior.