# Federal Animal Crushing Charges Filed Against California Woman Hanh Minh Nguyen faces PACT Act charges after allegedly killing a puppy in Santa Ana. - **Source:** [Latest news RSS](https://feeds.ibtimes.co.uk/feeds/bhsz8.rss) - **Published:** 2026-11-01 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/eabebcef-17e5-49fe-854f-779e8fb01547 ## Federal Charges Under PACT Act Hanh Minh Nguyen, a 75-year-old resident of Anaheim, faces rare federal animal crushing charges. Prosecutors allege she used food to lure a puppy beneath her Honda Odyssey minivan in Santa Ana on September 8, 2026. This federal action follows initial state-level felony charges of animal cruelty and abuse filed in Orange County. ## Surveillance Footage Evidence Investigators utilized surveillance footage from a nearby residence to reconstruct the incident. The video allegedly shows Nguyen releasing the puppy, placing food near the driver's side, and gesturing for the animal to approach. The vehicle then moved forward, with the rear tyre striking the puppy, remaining stationary on the animal for approximately 15 seconds. ## Autopsy and Medical Findings A post-incident examination of the puppy's remains confirmed the cause of death as a crushed skull resulting in complete brain damage. Forensic analysis indicated the animal survived for several minutes following the impact, experiencing severe pain before succumbing to its injuries. Authorities noted the puppy was a black-and-white pit bull mix. ## State Investigation and Arrest The Santa Ana Police Department identified the vehicle using automated licence plate reader technology. Following this identification, officers located and arrested Nguyen in Anaheim on October 1. State prosecutors filed felony charges, including a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a vehicle as a weapon, before the federal case was initiated. ## Conflicting Reports on Age Official accounts regarding the puppy's age remain inconsistent across different agencies. The Orange County District Attorney's Office initially reported the animal was nine weeks old in their October 2 announcement. Conversely, local police-based reports suggested the puppy was approximately nine months old, while the federal Justice Department announcement did not specify the age. ## Legal Proceedings and Bail Nguyen was released from custody after posting a $20,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on November 2, 2026, for state proceedings. Federal prosecutors have announced she will also face an initial appearance in US District Court, though a specific hearing date remains unannounced. ## Legislative Context of PACT The federal charge falls under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 25, 2019. This legislation established a nationwide prohibition on extreme acts of animal cruelty. If convicted under this act, Nguyen faces a statutory maximum sentence of seven years in federal prison. ## Official Stance on Prosecution First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli characterized the alleged conduct as an act of appalling cruelty. The FBI is currently investigating the federal case with assistance from local authorities. While the charges are serious, Nguyen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law during upcoming proceedings. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/california-woman-accused-luring-puppy-under-minivan-1829405 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._