WASHINGTON — A former employee of City Dogs, a D.C. dog boarding facility, has pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty after he brutally kicked and stomped a small dog to death, U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. announced Thursday.
Jovon Hawkins, 25, admitted in court to killing Appa, a 4-year-old Shih Tzu mix, on May 27, 2024, while working alone at City Dogs, a dog day care and boarding facility in Northeast D.C.
Appa’s owners had entrusted their pet to City Dogs over Memorial Day weekend, according to prosecutors.
Hawkins approached Appa and a tan Chihuahua as they sat on a dog bed at approximately 7:40 p.m. When one of the dogs barked, the Chihuahua ran away. Hawkins then moved the dog bed with his foot, braced himself against a wall, and delivered a forceful kick to Appa. The tiny dog yelped in pain, but Hawkins continued his assault, stomping on Appa before delivering a final, fatal kick.
Appa went silent and died that night from blunt-force trauma.
Hawkins pleaded guilty on March 3, in D.C. Superior Court. Judge Robert Salerno has scheduled his sentencing for May 5. He faces up to five years in prison.
Prosecutors did not release information indicating the reason Hawkins attacked Appa in the first place.
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