Springs man admits to killing pet rabbits in front of child

A local man admitted he killed two pet rabbits in front of a 5-year-old child back in June. Gregory Lopez pleaded guilty to animal cruelty on Tuesday.

Lopez is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 26 for sentencing and is expected to serve three years of probation for the crime.

During an argument, Lopez killed two rabbits in front of the child in Colorado Springs. Lopez was originally facing charges of domestic violence and cruelty to animals.

Police say just before 7 a.m. on June 28, they were called to the 1900 block of South Chelton Road to investigate a reported domestic disturbance. When they got on scene they found a woman and child who appeared "withdrawn and scared."

The woman told officers she had been in an argument with her boyfriend, 23-year-old Gregory Lopez of Colorado Springs, when he became aggressive and started destroying property in the home. During the argument, Lopez picked up two pet rabbits in the home and threw them against a wall, killing both animals.

Lopez was arrested on a felony charge of cruelty to animals, as well as additional misdemeanor charges.

Authorities worked with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region to find a new rabbit for the 5-year-old. The child was given Pookie the rabbit the same day as the incident.

Detectives are working with the district attorney’s office, which recently formed the Animal Care Unit (ACU) for prosecution of animal-related crimes. Attorneys assigned to ACU are prosecuting this incident.