Unhoused Woman Arrested for Cruelty to Animals

Puppy suffered broken leg after alleged assault by Connie Arreola

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:52am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken dog collar or leash against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh flash illumination and stark contrast of this image conceptually convey the gritty reality of animal cruelty and the need for greater protections for vulnerable pets.Santa Monica Today

A 40-year-old unhoused woman named Connie Arreola was arrested in Santa Monica, California on charges of animal cruelty after police responded to a report of her assaulting her three-month-old puppy, causing the dog to suffer a broken leg. The puppy was taken to a veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.

Why it matters

Animal cruelty is a serious crime that can carry significant penalties, and this case highlights the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and their pets. The incident also raises concerns about the welfare of animals living on the streets and the need for greater support and resources for both the unhoused population and their animal companions.

The details

According to the report, police officers responded to a call about a woman assaulting her dog on Main Street near Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica. They arrested Connie Arreola and turned the puppy over to animal control, who took the dog to a veterinarian. The vet determined that the puppy had suffered a broken leg as a result of the alleged assault.

  • On April 7, 2026, police responded to the call and arrested Connie Arreola.

The players

Connie Arreola

A 40-year-old unhoused woman who was arrested and charged with animal cruelty for allegedly assaulting her three-month-old puppy, causing the dog to suffer a broken leg.

Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the call about the alleged animal cruelty and arrested Connie Arreola.

SMPD Animal Control

The division of the Santa Monica Police Department that was called to the scene to pick up the injured puppy and take it to a veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.

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What they’re saying

“In sum, to be guilty of violating the Animal Cruelty law under CPC §597(a), you must, hurt or kill a living animal and act maliciously.”

— Kann California Law Group (KCLG), Legal Experts

What’s next

The Santa Monica Police Department and the district attorney's office will continue to investigate the case and determine if Connie Arreola will face formal charges for animal cruelty.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater support and resources for unhoused individuals and their pets, as well as the importance of enforcing animal cruelty laws to protect vulnerable animals from harm. The case also raises questions about the underlying factors that may have contributed to the alleged assault and the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.