Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has filed 25 cases of animal cruelty over the past six weeks, and Hochman and other local officials are touting their commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting animals.

One case involves 28-year-old Esteban Garcia, who is accused of brutally abusing a 5 1/2-year-old bulldog named Adriana on April 7.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Garcia allegedly dropped her on her head, kicked her, and then threw her into a stack of tires, leaving her to die.

“Let me be clear: If you harm an animal in our community, we are watching you — and we will find you,” Hochman said in a statement Tuesday.

Of the 25 animal cruelty cases filed, 18 were classified as felonies, some of which included:

— Garcia, who was charged with one felony count of animal cruelty. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on April 16 and is scheduled to return to court on June 11. If he is convicted as charged, Garcia could face up to three years in county jail.

— Joseph Melnyk, 50, was charged with two felony counts of injuring a girlfriend, one count of cruelty to an animal, and misdemeanor contempt of court. He pleaded not guilty. On April 21, Melnyk allegedly threw his girlfriend’s 4-year-old terrier mix dog named Charlie off a balcony, causing the animal to hit the concrete and die. If convicted as charged, Melnyk could face up to seven years in state prison, plus 364 days in county jail on a misdemeanor offense.

— Marc Ibanez, 27, was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and has an early disposition hearing scheduled for Wednesday. On March 19, at 11:24 a.m., surveillance video allegedly captured Ibanez dragging a 9-year-old German shepherd named Leo behind a truck near a business in the 97000 block of South Alburtus Avenue in Santa Fe Springs. The animal escaped moments later, with Ibanez holding what appeared to be a sharp object. The object was later recovered by law enforcement, described as a 13-inch grass sickle covered in dog hair. Ibanez sustained lacerations to the left side of his forehead and chest. If he is convicted as charged, he could face up to four years in state prison.

— Micheala Urquidi, 22, was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal. She pleaded not guilty. On Aug. 3, Urquidi allegedly strangled a 22-month-old American Bully named Chulas while pet sitting for the owner. If convicted as charged, she could face up to three years in county jail.

— Blaise Prymer, 23, was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal. He pleaded not guilty. On April 23, at 2:50 a.m., Prymer allegedly attempted to hang the family dog, an older corgi/chihuahua mix named Hope, moments before using a crowbar to allegedly strike the dog on the head until she died. He allegedly told police that he had killed the dog because she was preventing him from sleeping. If convicted as charged, Prymmer could face up to three years in county jail.

— Emanuel Perdomo, 43, was charged with one felony count each of cruelty to an animal and arson. Perdomo pleaded not guilty. On March 7, Perdomo allegedly carried a cat inside a cage to Dora Street moments before setting the animal on fire with a flammable liquid, burning the cat the death. Perdomo then dumped the body from the cage, kicked the cat, and took a close-up photo of the dead animal with his cell phone, authorities said. If convicted as charged, he could face up to seven years and four months in state prison.

— Miguel Abadmunoz, 44, was charged with two counts of arson and one count of animal cruelty. He pleaded not guilty. On March 18, at 10:05 a.m., Abadmunoz allegedly set a 10-year-old Siamese cat on fire on Dewey Avenue, moments before attempting to set an apartment building on fire. Officers located a butane torch in the defendant’s left pocket and noted that the cat was severely burned and struggling to breathe. The animal was ultimately euthanized. If convicted as charged, Abadmunoz could face up to 13 years and eight months in state prison.

— Arturo Morales, 55, was charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal and four felony counts of possession of a bird or animal for fighting. He pleaded not guilty. On March 29, at 4:01 p.m., deputies located a shed set up in a backyard that was being used as a cockfighting ring that was covered in blood and feathers. Deputies recovered a bag containing dead roosters during the investigation, one of which had a razor blade attached to its claws. Multiple cages were found at the property label with names of the birds and weights, lacking food or water. Investigators also discovered a refrigerator with hematopoietic stimulant. If convicted as charged, Morales could face up to three years in county jail.

“I want to personally thank Deputy District Attorney and Animal Cruelty Coordinator Kimberly Abourezk and our outstanding legal team for their unwavering dedication. Their work reinforces that our office stands firm between abusers and the animals they harm,” Hochman said.

Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton of the Los Angeles Police Department said the LAPD “consistently pursues animal cruelty cases with integrity and intensity, many of which do not receive media attention.

“Despite the loss of our Animal Cruelty Task Force in early 2021, we take animal cruelty investigations seriously, and we investigate these cases in a manner that leads to the successful arrests and prosecutions of the alleged suspects. We continue to provide training to our personnel in understanding the complexity of such investigations to ensure successful district and city attorney filings,” he added.

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish said “this type of cruelty has no place in our community” and commended the detectives and officers involved for their work in swiftly identifying and arresting the suspects. “We remain committed to ensuring those who harm others — especially the most vulnerable — are held accountable.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said his department “is working closely with Los Angeles County Animal Control, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and community partners to ensure all cases of animal cruelty are fully investigated and prosecuted.

“We will not tolerate the abuse of defenseless animals, and if you witness or suspect cruelty, report it to local law enforcement immediately,” Luna added.