‘Special place in hell’ for man accused of killing pregnant dog: prosecutor

Police say a man allegedly carrying meth is responsible for the brutal murder of a pregnant Maltese.

Eric Lyn Holliday is accused of tying one end of a rope to the tow hitch of his Ford Expedition and the other end to a parking bollard in a quiet Anaheim alley on Dec. 1. Holliday then allegedly placed the dog in the center, looping the rope around its neck and accelerating.

The force of the rope snapped the dog’s neck, according to the Orange County district attorney. It’s unclear if Holliday owned the dog.

Holliday allegedly then sped off, leaving the dog for dead. The six-year-old canine died from a severed spine and arteries. An owner of a nearby business discovered the pooch hours after the heinous crime. 

“There is a special place in hell for people who abuse animals. This was not an act of rage. This was a clear plan to kill a defenseless animal,” said District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

Holliday was on probation for previously attacking a co-worker with a metal pipe, and was carrying several bags of amphetamines when police caught up to him. He was charged with a felony count of animal cruelty and another for possession of a hard drug with two or more convictions.  

He faces up to 13 years behind bars.