Felony Cruelty to an Animal Resulting in Death

COACHELLA: On May 5th, 2014, at approximately 10:37 pm, Coachella Police officers responded to the area of Vista Del Norte and Dillon Road in Coachella. A California Highway Patrol officer saw a deceased dog inside a parked and locked vehicle at the location and contacted Coachella Police. Coachella Police officers interviewed employees and learned the vehicle was left at the location for over a day with all the windows closed.

Coachella Police officers located the owner of the vehicle, and the deceased dog, Charu Cata Khanna, a 29-year-old female from Irvine, and arrested her for felony cruelty to an animal resulting in death. Riverside County Animal Control officers responded to the location and took possession of the deceased dog. Khanna was booked into the Indio Jail with $5000.00 bail.

Coachella Police would like to encourage the public to immediately call 911 if they see an animal in distress within an unattended vehicle. We would also like to remind everyone that temperatures inside a parked vehicle can be 20-40 degrees hotter than outside temperatures.

source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department news release