California man arrested in Las Vegas for pinning puppy to hot pavement: police

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man was arrested near a Las Vegas Strip casino after pinning a puppy on a 99 degree pavement, according to police documents.

Officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were conducting a routine check outside of a resort on the south-side of the Strip on Aug. 12, when they received reports of a man “forcefully holding a small dog to the ground,” according to an arrest report.

A witness, who identified himself as a dog trainer, noticed a man pinning a dog down on a “hot” pavement. He told police he was concerned that the dog might be hurt, so he urged the man to loosen his grip.

The man ignored the advice, prompting the witness to approach authorities.

When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as Tommy Chen, with a backpack and his right hand on the puppy’s back, the report stated. Police said that Chen explained he was trying to get the puppy to relieve itself so he could return to the hotel-casino.

Police reports indicate that Chen had turned the puppy onto its right side and pinned it to the ground, causing the dog to yelp. Despite commands to “let the puppy go,” Chen refused to release the animal, leading officers to handcuff him as he attempted to resist, according to the report.

While searching Chen’s backpack, officers found a semi-automatic pneumatic gun that fires .68 caliber pepper pellets.

Chen now faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, depriving an animal of sustenance/shelter/medical care, and resisting arrest, court records show.

Records also show he posted bail on Aug. 13, with conditions including staying out of trouble, refraining from carrying weapons, abstaining from alcohol, and staying away from domestic animals.

Court records show his next court appearance was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15.

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