David Sumlin photo provided by Los Angeles Police Department
“It’s either you or the dog.”
That was the ultimatum that police in Los Angeles, California, say was issued by David Sumlin, 32, when, in the middle of a domestic dispute on Jan. 2, he threatened to kill a 4-month-old puppy — or its owner.
In a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department issued Wednesday, police allege Sumlin “held a pillow over the victim’s dog and pointed a firearm into the pillow.”
He fired two shots, police said, after telling the victim it was them or their pet.
When responding to the scene, police said they took the puppy to a local animal shelter where it later died.
Sumlin is now wanted for domestic violence as well as animal cruelty. The nature of his relationship to the victim was not immediately made clear Thursday.
A police search is underway for Sumlin and police have urged the public to exercise caution as Sumlin is believed to be armed. He is considered transient by police and has been known to frequent 7th Street and Stanford Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.
Anyone with tips on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Officer J. Roman at the Operations-Central Bureau Family Justice Center in California at 213-709-9017 or after hours at 1-877-527-3247.
Anonymous tipsters should call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online here.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
