A former employee of City Dogs, a dog boarding facility in Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty after brutally killing a small dog in his care. Jovon Hawkins, 25, admitted to stomping and kicking a 4-year-old Shih Tzu mix named Appa to death while working alone at the facility on May 27, 2024.
Appa’s owners had entrusted the dog to City Dogs over Memorial Day weekend. Prosecutors say that Hawkins approached Appa and another dog, a tan Chihuahua, as they rested on a dog bed. After one of the dogs barked, the Chihuahua fled, and Hawkins responded by moving the dog bed with his foot. He then braced himself against a wall and delivered a powerful kick to Appa. The small dog yelped in pain, but Hawkins continued the attack, stomping on the dog before delivering a final fatal kick. Appa died that night from blunt-force trauma.
Hawkins pleaded guilty to the charges in D.C. Superior Court on March 3, 2025. Judge Robert Salerno has scheduled sentencing for May 5, 2025. Hawkins faces up to five years in prison, though prosecutors have not disclosed the motive behind the attack.
This case highlights the tragic consequences of animal cruelty and raises serious concerns about the safety of pets entrusted to boarding facilities. The authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hawkins’ actions and his history at the dog care facility.