A demonstration in the house of a suspicious man in a series of murders by cats in Santa Ana resulted in vandalism during the weekend, which led the police to urge residents to keep calm and warn of potential consequences in case of similar disturbances.
The authorities estimate that 100 people attended a vigil on Sunday night in the house of Santa Ana, Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 45, who was arrested and reserved last week under suspicion of cruelty animal serious crime.
Police alleged that he killed at least a dozen neighborhood cats, and that the bodies were found at home.
That house was the site of a “Vigil for Justice” Where pet owners and community and animal groups gathered for what was announced on social networks as a peaceful protest.
OC Community Cats, a non -profit organization that aims to help the population of Callejejos and Saido de Orange County cats, published about the event, but told The Times that he was not the main organizer. The protest was promoted on several social media platforms.
“People are angry and scared,” the organization wrote in a statement sent by email. “We are tired of the abusers being slapped in the wrist. Animal cruelty must be taken more seriously, with tougher sanctions.”
In a statement published on social networks, the Santa Ana Police Department recognized “the strong emotions that this case has generated”, but urged residents to allow investigation and judicial process to take their course.
“While we support the right of the community to meet peacefully, the Santa Ana Police Department will not tolerate acts of violence, vandalism or any threat to public security,” the statement continued. “Any damage to life or property will have consequences, and those who participate in criminal behavior will be responsible.”
According to OC Community Cats, the protest moved from the house identified as Acosta to a nearby that is believed to be a family member. A neighbor, the group said, had told the protesters that Acosta was staying there.
Acosta had registered the bond, but was not in the area at that time, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Around 7:45 pm, said Santa Ana police, some protesters threw objects into the second house and tried to tear down a fence.
“Several people became rebellious, destroyed and threw objects in a neighborhood,” the department wrote in a publication on social networks.
TO Video of Fox 11 Los Angeles showed at least one protester trying to open a door that blocks an entrance path. Others in the crowd shook a wooden fence and shouted at the residence with oxen. A protester seemed to launch some kind of aerosol on the property.
The protesters carried signs that said, “we demanded justice” and “today cats, tomorrow humans”, in Spanish.
“We are asking the public to allow us to conduct our investigation and not destroy or damage any person's home,” said Natalie García officer, a public information officer of the Santa Ana Police.
The protest was mainly carried out in public streets, Garcia said.
“People have the right to meet and we cannot violate their right to protest,” he said.
Garcia said that Santa Ana police was monitoring the protest and confirmed that a vandalism and drum report was taken. But she said she couldn't confirm any other detail.
Garcia urged the members of the public to feel victims, either for the theft of their pets or the protest, to contact the department.
OC Community Cats said he is aware that some pet defenders are planning to attend the next judicial hearing of Acosta, and have communicated with the Orange County District Prosecutor's Office to request the maximum fine in this case.
The spokesman for a district prosecutor did not immediately respond to a request for comments on Tuesday.
