A man accused of intentionally running over his estranged wife’s Chihuahua pleaded not guilty Thursday to animal cruelty.
Michael David Parker, 45, of Sherman Oaks, was arrested in January on suspicion of killing a dog named Cow Cow on Dec. 28. He was charged last week in connection with the case.
Investigators recovered surveillance video from the alley near El Segundo Boulevard and Doty Avenue showing a man fitting Parker’s description placing the 5-year-old pup on the ground shortly before driving over it.
Parker was later identified as the person in the video and arrested at work.
His charges also include animal neglect and one misdemeanor count of petty theft of a dog.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Parker on April 25 at the Airport Branch Courthouse.
