LOS ANGELES — An Anaheim woman faces a federal animal crushing charge after prosecutors alleged she used food to lure a pit bull puppy beneath her minivan and intentionally ran it over, killing it, officials announced Friday.
Hanh Minh Nguyen, 75, was charged Thursday in a criminal complaint and faces up to seven years in federal prison if convicted, the Justice Department announced Friday. She is expected to make her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana in the coming weeks.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, authorities received a report in September about a dead black-and-white male pit bull puppy that appeared to have been deliberately run over.
Investigators obtained surveillance video showing a woman opening the driver’s door of a Honda Odyssey and releasing the puppy, which moved beneath the minivan, the affidavit alleges.
The woman then dropped what appeared to be food near the driver’s door and motioned for the puppy to approach, according to the affidavit. As she drove forward, the rear driver’s side tire rolled over the animal.
The driver stopped with the tire on the puppy for about 15 seconds before driving away, prosecutors alleged.
An autopsy determined that the puppy died from a crushed skull and severe brain injuries.
According to the affidavit, the animal survived for several minutes and experienced severe pain before dying.
Police traced the minivan to Nguyen and arrested her in Anaheim on Oct. 1.
“Luring a defenseless puppy with food only to crush him beneath a vehicle is an act of appalling cruelty,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said.
The federal charge was filed under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on Nov. 25, 2019.
Nguyen also faces charges in Orange County Superior Court, including felony animal cruelty. The Orange County district attorney’s office is prosecuting that case.
The FBI is investigating with assistance from the Santa Ana Police Department.
Nguyen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Quick fact checklist
☑ Defendant: Hanh Minh Nguyen, 75, of Anaheim
☑ Federal charge: Animal crushing
☑ Charged: Oct. 29, 2026
☑ Allegation: Used food to lure a puppy beneath her minivan before running it over
☑ Arrested: Oct. 1 in Anaheim
☑ Maximum penalty: Seven years in federal prison if convicted
☑ State case: Separate charges include felony animal cruelty
☑ Investigators: FBI and Santa Ana Police Department
☑ Status: Presumed innocent; federal court appearance expected in coming weeks