Felony charges are expected to be filed Wednesday against a Banning woman suspected of stabbing her family’s dog, then fleeing to another city, where she was arrested.
Natasha Amber Serrano, 34, was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning Sunday on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.
Serrano is being held on $10,000 bail.
According to the Banning Police Department, shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday, the suspect was in her family home in the 700 block of West Gilman Street and allegedly turned violent for unspecified reasons.
She attacked the canine, inflicting wounds with a knife, police alleged.
“After stabbing the family dog, Serrano fled the location in her vehicle,” agency spokeswoman Sol Avila said. “A be-on-the-lookout was sent to local law enforcement agencies.”
She said Ontario police officers spotted Serrano at about 11:15 a.m. driving through the city and detained her, taking her into custody without incident.
The suspect was turned over to Banning police officers for booking early Sunday afternoon.
The dog was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. The severity of the stab wounds was unclear.
Background information on Serrano was unavailable.