Southern California

Ex-Boyfriend Skins, Eats Woman's Pet Rabbit: DA

The woman told police that her roommate skinned the rabbit, cooked it and ate half of it — all while sending her step-by-step pictures of what he did to the animal

A Southern California woman horrified by her ex-boyfriend went to police after he allegedly skinned, cooked and ate her pet rabbit, then threatened to do the same to her, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

Dimitri Diatchenko, of North Hollywood, is accused of killing the woman's rabbit on Sunday after she suggested they stop living together since ending their romantic relationship, DA's spokesman Ricardo Santiago said.

The pair lived together possibly for several years after breaking up, Santiago said.

The woman was out of the house on Sunday when 46-year-old Diatchenko allegedly mutilated her pet rabbit. She told police Diatchenko skinned the rabbit, cooked it and ate half of it — all while sending her step-by-step pictures of what he did to the animal, the DA's office said.

When the woman came home, Diatchenko allegedly told her he would do the same to her. She then went to police, and Diatchenko was arrested that same day, officials said.

Diatchenko is now facing one felony count each of cruelty to an animal with a use of knife allegation and criminal threats.

He could spend up to four years and eight months behind bars if convicted and is due in court Dec. 30.

Santiago said the DA's office did not know whether Diatchenko had a lawyer because he has not yet appeared in court.

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