Two women who brandished a gun and kicked a dog in Pittsburg in an incident that was videotaped and widely shared were charged with cruelty to an animal and brandishing an imitation firearm.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Friday 46-year-old Lagashia Shante Williams and 18-year-old Graciela Amar were arrested and booked into the Martinez and West County detention facilities Feb. 27.
Both were released after posting bail of $172,500.
On Feb. 19, Williams and Amar confronted a homeowner in his driveway over an incident involving his elderly neighbor, who accidentally ran over the homeowner’s plant while backing into a driveway.
The conversation escalated into an argument and Amar pulled what turned out to be an imitation firearm from a vehicle and handed it to Williams. The woman brandished the fake weapon, causing the homeowner to back away.
The homeowner picked up one of his two dogs and walked away. Williams then told Amar to kick the other dog, which she did.
The DA’s office said Amar kicked the dog into the air. It landed several feet away on the lawn. The homeowner picked up the wounded and crying canine and went inside his home.
Williams then called 911 and told dispatch the homeowner had a gun, a claim the DA’s office said was false.
Both women were charged with cruelty to animals and drawing or exhibiting an imitation firearm in a threatening manner. Williams has been charged with making a false report.
If convicted, both could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in jail and fined up to $20,000.